Potato soft rot
Project Name |
Effect of calcium nutrition on decay of summer sown seed potatoes, 1999-2002. |
|---|---|
Coordinator |
Greg Howell, Research Horticulturist, Yanco |
Project Team |
Alan Boulton, Joe Valenzisi. |
Description |
The project aims to establish the validity of the theory that increasing the calcium nutrition of the parent crop will increase calcium levels in the tubers which will protect them against infection by Erwinia carotivora. In addition we are aiming to find and manipulate other factors which can be used to lessen soft-rot losses in the production cycle. |
Activities & Outcomes |
Establish a protocol for ensuring that potatoes will rot. Produce tubers of a soft-rot susceptible variety with enhanced calcium levels. Test calcium manipulated tubers for resistance to Erwinia. Survey growers seed tubers for calcium levels, native Erwinia levels and resistance to deliberate infection. Study and manipulate transmission and resistance to Erwinia. Calcium by itself was not found to be an effective disease control. Investment in certified seed in some years was seen to be the best solution. |