Aerial dispersal of the potato gangrene pathogen, Phoma exigua var. foveata

A semi-selective medium for isolating the potato gangrene pathogen, Phoma exigua var. foveata, from air is described. Airborne propagules of P. exigua var. foveata were generated for at least 57 min after the start of simulated raindrop impaction on senescent potato stems bearing pycnidia from a natural infection. The number of propagules generated as aerosols was 0·17% of that available for aerosolisation. The aerodynamic particle size of at least 92% of the aerosols was in the range 2·1–4·7 μm in diameter. Using a Casella High Volume Bacterial Sampler airborne propagules of P. exigua var. foveata were detected in the open air during rainfall from September to November at three sites in Southern Scotland. They were recovered at least 800 m down wind from the nearest potato crop. P. exigua var. exigua and P. eupyrena were also recovered from the air during rainfall. Very low numbers of P. exigua var. foveata were occasionally detected in the absence of rain. The role of airborne inoculum of P. exigua var. foveata is discussed in relation to reinfection of virus-tested stocks of seed potatoes derived from stem cuttings.