ARS | Publication request: EFFECTS OF MICROBIAL ANTAGONISTS AND A RYEGRASS ROTATION ON RHIZOCTONIA DISEASE OF POTATO

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2003
Publication Date: December 2, 2003
Citation: Brewer, M.T., Larkin, R.P. 2003. Effects of microbial antagonists and a ryegrass rotation on rhizoctonia disease of potato. Phytopathology. 94: S163

Technical Abstract: Rhizoctonia disease of potato is a persistent problem in Maine. Sustainable Management practices, including biocontrol and effective rotation crops, were investigated. Efficacy of twenty-eight potential antagonists and several crop rotations were tested in greenhouse trials. Field experiments were conducted to determine if biocontrol could be enhanced within effective rotations. In greenhouse trials, some organisms successfully reduced stem canker or black scurf, but none consistently controlled both aspects of this disease. Ryegrass rotations reduced stem canker compared to potato or clover rotations. In field experiments, the barley/ryegrass rotation increased yield and reduced stem canker severity relative to the potato rotation at 1 or 2 locations. Biocontrol treatments increased marketable yield at 1 location, and although variable, black scurf control greatest within barley rotations at the other location. This approach demonstrates that microbial antagonists and effective crop rotations can potentially increase yield and suppress rhizoctonia disease of potato.