Phytophthora erythroseptica (Pink Rot) Development in Russet Norkotah Potato Grown in Buffered Hydroponic Solutions I. Calcium Nutrition Effects
Benson. J. H Hopkins. B. G Stevens. M. R Geary. B Miller. J. S Jolley. V. D
American Journal of Potato Research ; 2009 [Vol.86] Pages:466-471
Abstract
Phytophthora erythroseptica Pethyb. causes a disease known as pink rot in potatoes, which is responsible for substantial pre and post harvest tuber loss. Disease outbreaks are associated with excessive soil moisture, moderate temperature, late season development, and a lack of potato cultivar resistance. Because disease resistance is becoming less effective, understanding other potential solutions is critical. Mineral nutrition of plants is known to be associated with disease development and severity of many diseases, but is not generally considered in relation to outbreaks of pink rot. Calcium (Ca) is essential and considered one of the most important nutrients associated with plant defense, but it has not been studied or consequently linked to the severity of pink rot in potato. A hydroponic growth system was established to study the effects of calcium on P. erythroseptica infection and colonization in Russet Norkotah potato roots. Russet Norkotah potatoes were grown with 3, 86, 172, and 343 mg L-1 Ca in association with the pathogen. The degree of disease severity was assessed by means of quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). The suppression of infection and disease severity by increased available Ca was statistically significant, decreasing with each increment of Ca between 3 and 343 mg L-1. These data provide strong evidence that Ca nutrition is important in disease suppression and that the amount of available soil Ca can affect plant health and the ability of P. erythroseptica to infect the host.
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