ARS | Publication request: Optimization of late blight and bacterial wilt management in potato production systems in the highland tropics of Africa

Submitted to: Sustainable potato production: global case studies
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: July 21, 2011
Publication Date: May 25, 2012
Citation: Olanya, O.M., Nyankanga, R., Ojiambo, P., Lemaga, B., Kakuhenzire, R., Fontem, D. 2012. Optimization of late blight and bacterial wilt management in potato production systems in the highland tropics of Africa. In: He, Z., Larkin, R.P., Honeycutt, C.W., editors. Sustainable potato production: global case studies. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Springer. p. 509-531.

Technical Abstract: Late blight and bacterial wilt are two formidable disease constraints on potato and account for significant losses in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).In this chapter, various management techniques for late blight and bacterial wilt diseases are highlighted and discussed with examples drawn from diverse research. The disease management approaches include resistant cultivars, disease monitoring and reduced fungicide applications, cultural practices, and post-harvest management. Deployment of cultivars with major resistant-genes and quantitative resistance in combination with fungicide use has contributed significantly to sustained late blight management in tropical Africa. Similarly, cultural practices such as manipulation of date of potato planting, disease-free tubers, rouging and bio-rational approaches (plant-derived extracts and phosphoric acid) have been used to a lesser degree. Disease monitoring and weather-based predictions in relation to fungicide applications have been utilized in conjunction with host-plant resistance. Similarly, bacterial wilt has been successfully managed through non-chemical means which include crop rotation, sanitation (removal of wilted plants, destruction of crop residues), and minimum post-emergence cultivation of potatoes. Small-scale seed plot technique, non-diseased tubers, soil amendments and less susceptible cultivars have been important components for integrated management of bacterial wilt disease. The holistic approach for control of late blight and bacterial wilt ultimately lead to increased potato production and better economic returns in the diverse potato production region of SSA.