The effect of harvest date and duration of wound healing conditions on the susceptibility of damaged potato tubers to infection by Phoma exigua (gangrene) |
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Authors: | M. J. ADAMS R. L. GRIFFITH |
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Affiliation: | Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ |
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Abstract: | In experiments extending over 3 yr, King Edward tubers harvested on various dates from early September until early November were uniformly wounded and kept at 15 oC and c. 95% r.h. for periods of up to 21 days for wounds to cure. When tubers were subsequently inoculated with Phoma exigua var.foveata and incubated at 5 oC for 12 wk, curing for 3 and 7 days decreased gangrene incidence to respectively c. 13 and 4% of the non-cured controls. When tubers were inoculated before curing and immediately after wounding, curing for 7 days decreased gangrene incidence to only c. 68% of the non-cured controls. Curing was also progressively less effective the later the date of harvesting, suggesting that there would be advantages in harvesting potato crops early in the autumn. |
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