African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

Incidence of potato blackleg caused by Pectobacterium atrosepticum in district Chiniot and its management through bio-products

  Abdul Rashid1, Muhammad Abu Bakker Fahad1*, Muhammad Aslam Khan1, Abdul Mateen1, Muhammad Farooq2, Muhammad Ashraf2, Faqir Ahmad2, Muhammad Latif2 and Masood Ahmad2        
  1Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. 2Pest Warning and Quality Control of Pesticides Gujranwala, Multan, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Nankana Sahib Punjab, Pakistan.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 05 October 2012
  •  Published: 30 November 2012

Abstract

 

Potato is an important commercial crop of the world. It was reported to be affected by many biotic and abiotic factors. Among biotic factors is a blackleg, a bacterial disease of potato caused by Pectobacterium atrosepticum and is responsible for both quantitative and qualitative losses in the field and in the storage. This disease has been found to be more frequent in the districts of Chiniot. Therefore, a survey was conducted in field’s conditions of district Chiniot of Pakistan, as well as cold storages to assess the disease severity in the potato field. For isolation, samples were collected and identification, purification and mass culturing of the isolated of pathogen was also performed. The efficacy of different chemicals, plant extracts and bio-products were studied against isolated pathogen. During the screening trial of fifteen varieties, Cardinal was found immune while Faisalabad white was found to be highly susceptible. Other varieties like Accent, Harmony, Faisalabad Red and Lady Rosette were found resistant, while Desiree, SH70, Everest, Hermes, Orla and Paramount were found moderately resistant. Varietals response against this bacterium was evaluated under natural conditions in the field on weekly basis. Evaluation of different bio-products and plant extracts was carried out under laboratory conditions. Under the laboratory conditions, bio-products produced maximum inhibition zone. Plant extracts namely neem (Azadirachta indica), garlic (Allium sativum), datura (Datura alba) and onion (Allium sepa) also produced a little inhibition zone against the growth of Erwinia.

 

Key words: Potato, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, control, bio-products.