Assessment of the impact of certified and uncertified potato seed tubers on yield, quality, and disease incidence in Lesotho

Keneuoe Nketsi, Sebitsa Machela, Norman Muzhinji, Moleboheng Lekota

Abstract


Potato production is severely affected by seed-borne diseases; hence, the use of disease-free seed tubers is crucial for yield and quality. This greenhouse study compared certified disease-free and uncertified symptomatic seed tubers for yield traits (size, number, and weight) and disease incidence (DI) and severity (DSI) in progeny tubers. Fungal pathogens were isolated from symptomatic seed tubers and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) to determine the causal agents of blemishes. Colony morphology, mycelial characteristics, and the presence or absence of constrictions were assessed visually and microscopically from thirty isolates. Molecular characterization of twenty isolates was performed by rDNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α). Distinct colony colors, mycelial textures, growth patterns, macroconidia shapes, and constrictions were observed among the isolates. In total, five prevalent diseases and six causal pathogens were identified viz., Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, F. longifundum, Phytophthora infestans and Colletotrichum coccodes. The results revealed significant differences (P < 0.005) in tuber size distribution, with asymptomatic seed tubers producing more medium- and large-sized tubers, whereas symptomatic seed tubers produced a higher proportion of small-sized tubers. The total tuber number (9.6 vs. 7.2) and tuber weight (204.5 g vs. 123 g) were also significantly higher (P < 0.005) in asymptomatic seed tubers compared to symptomatic ones. Moreover, symptomatic seed tubers exhibited markedly higher DI (47.6%) and DSI (35.0%) compared with asymptomatic seed tubers (11.8% DI and 10.6% DSI).

Keywords


Potato, seed-borne pathogens, asymptomatic tubers, atypical symptoms, certified seed

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33804/pp.009.03.5719

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