Integrated management of early and late blights of potatoes in Israel

Abstract

Potatoes are grown in Israel in two growing seasons, autumn and spring. Two foliar diseases, early blight (Alternaria solani) and late blight (Phytophthora infestans) threaten the crop and if not managed properly, may induce substantial yield losses. Concepts for the integration of genotype resistance, age-related resistance and fungicide type for the suppression of both pathogens were developed based on the epidemiology of the pathogens and in relation to their interactions with the host. Yield in the integrated management treatment did not differ, or was significantly higher, than yield in the other treatments.



Key Words: Alternaria solani, integrated disease management, Israel, Phytophthora infestans, Solanum tuberosum


(African Crop Science Journal 2001 9(1): 203-208)