When growing potatoes, many are faced with some crop diseases. Often, the tubers of the plant are affected by cancer. The causative agent of this disease is a fungus belonging to the group of biotrophic bacteria. It is worth noting that potato cancer is a quarantine disease that can partially or completely destroy the crop.
Distribution features
Potato cancer was first detected in 1888. Today, this disease has spread throughout almost all of Europe. The disease is least common in America, New Zealand and Africa.
In our country, potato cancer has already been seen in many regions where this crop is grown. Plants planted in household plots are especially susceptible to such an ailment. Harvests in the southern and northern regions are the least affected by cancer.
It is worth noting that the disease spread throughout Russia during the Great Patriotic War. The fungus can affect not only potatoes. Such microorganisms can ruin the pepper crop,beets, eggplant, tomatoes and so on.
Main symptoms of the disease
Potato tuber cancer is easy to recognize, as the disease has pronounced symptoms. However, signs of illness should be detected in a timely manner. Otherwise, the infection will spread quickly.
With this disease, the tubers of plants are covered with growths that begin to grow from the eyes. Outwardly, such neoplasms resemble cauliflower inflorescences. The size of the growths can be from millimeters to tens of centimeters.
Initially, neoplasms on tubers have a light yellow tint. However, gradually their color changes and becomes dark brown. At the same time, the growths begin to rot and disintegrate.
In some cases, neoplasms occur on leaves and stems just above ground level. At the same time, the disease does not affect the roots, since the fungus affects the young tissues of the plant. If the conditions for the pathogen are unfavorable, then leaf-like growths can form, outwardly resembling pine cones, as well as hard crusts, very similar to scab.
If the disease has a corrugated form, then the tubers become wrinkled after infection. On their surface, sagging, waves and depressions may form.
How the disease spreads
Potato cancer is a rapidly spreading disease. In order to timely identify the disease, you need to know how the infection of he althy plants occurs. The following factors contribute to the spread of the fungus:
- already infected tubers are present;
- tubers and seedlings were grown on a site affected by flex;
- infected soil was brought to the site along with a household tool that had clods of soil with a parasitic fungus.
Potato cancer often occurs when a crop has been grown in the same place for many years. A fungus that affects root crops can be brought to the site along with rain and melt water. Manure is of particular importance. If cattle were fed with infected raw potato tubers, then the pathogen can also get into the fertilizer. In a separate area, the mushroom can be brought along with planting material.
What is dangerous fungus
Is it easy to overcome potato cancer? The fungus that causes the development of this disease is an intracellular organism. The pathogen is highly resistant to external factors. It is worth noting that the focus of infection can persist in the soil for 30 years.
During the period of drought, the causative agent of potato tuber cancer is not able to actively develop. In the absence of sufficient moisture, zoospores simply die. When the rainy season begins, soil contamination proceeds faster. It is precisely because of this resistance that cancer is a dangerous disease for many crops.
Danger to humans
The causative agent of potato cancer spreads very quickly. However, plant disease is notposes a danger to humans. Officially infected vegetables are not recognized as harmful products. They are allowed to be sold, even though such goods lose their appearance very quickly and deteriorate greatly.
Although potato cancer is not dangerous for humans, experts do not recommend eating infected vegetables. In many European countries, there are strict restrictions and measures for the elimination, as well as the localization of the disease. If at least one plant is affected by the fungus, the site is considered infected. Planting crops on it is prohibited. In this case, plant quarantine begins to operate. The infected area is fenced off at a safe distance. This helps prevent the spread of the pathogen.
Disease prevention
In addition to plant quarantine, various control methods are used for this disease. However, any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. For the purpose of prevention, it is worth carrying out the following activities:
- only proven and he althy planting material should be used for planting crops;
- should consider crop rotation and follow all crop rotation rules;
- when growing potatoes, it is recommended to use varieties resistant to the causative agent of cancer;
- do not plant plants on the infected area;
- after use, inventory and working machines are recommended to be thoroughly cleaned of soil clods.
Besides this, it is important to understand when to plant potatoes. Planting is recommended in early spring in sunny and clear weather. Every year the place where will begrow potatoes, you need to change. Crop rotation rules must be observed. You can alternate crops with cabbage, cereals and corn. This is the main measure in agricultural technology to reduce the risk of plant cancer.
Choosing a landing site
Measures against potato cancer are completely different. Most importantly, do not plant bulbous plants in areas with affected soil. This will only exacerbate the situation and speed up the spread of the fungus. Household and production plots are usually located at a distance of one kilometer from fields with potato seed crops.
To reduce the risk of infection of planting material, it is recommended to treat tubers with a solution of boric acid. The use of fertilizers when planting potatoes in the spring is also important. It is usually recommended to use mineral mixtures that disinfect the soil and increase yield. Organic supplements are also suitable. Properly selected fertilizer will reduce the risk of plant infection and improve tuber germination.
Land Quarantine
The causative agent of potato cancer spreads very quickly. Especially if favorable conditions are created for this. Therefore, infected areas are usually quarantined. Vegetable plantings should be inspected regularly. If signs of the disease are found, the affected plant is removed along with the tops. It is recommended to bury it in the ground to a depth of onemeter, and sprinkle with bleach. As for the remaining plants, they should not be eaten. Harvest from such sites is recommended to be used only for technical purposes. With a quarantine certificate, vegetables can be harvested and exported.
Quarantine rules must be strictly observed in the affected area. It is forbidden to export affected vegetables and use them as planting material. It is impossible to use manure from animals that fed on contaminated products to fertilize plots.
What to do when a source of infection is detected
If signs of a focus of plant infection with cancer were found, then you should immediately contact the nearest farm or the inspection. Experts do not recommend using chemical compounds on their own for potato cancer, since it is very important to follow the technique when working with them. It is better to seek help from those involved in the protection of crops from various diseases. Growing potatoes in the affected area is not recommended for 7 years.
Which varieties are resistant to the fungus
Planting and cultivating potato varieties that are resistant to the cancerous pathogen can stop the spread of the fungus. In addition, such plants help to completely clear the soil of the fungus in about 5-6 years. Infected areas should not grow varieties of potatoes with different levels of resistance to the disease. Experts recommend changing varieties about once every 5 years.
Among domestic varieties, the mostcancer-resistant are:
- Falensky, Iskra, Early yellow, Borodyansky and so on. All of the listed varieties give an early harvest.
- As for domestic mid-early varieties, when choosing them, you should give preference to such varieties of potatoes as Ogonyok, Lvovskiy white, Stolovy 19, Smachny, Zorka.
- Viliya, Candidate, Loshitsky, Sulev, Pavlinka and so on stand out among the middle-late ones.
Foreign varieties
Not all varieties of potatoes are able to resist the causative agent of plant cancer. Among domestic varieties with a high rate of resistance against cancer, it is worth highlighting Lorkh, Ulyanovsky, Tulunsky, Kemerovo, Pink, Priobsky, Ermak, Volzhanin. The listed varieties of potatoes are immune to the disease. Plant cancer practically does not affect them.
The most popular foreign varieties of potatoes among gardeners are Arosa, Rosara, Bellarosa. They are resistant to the causative agent of plant cancer. Such varieties can be grown in any region. The main thing is to know when to plant potatoes and what fertilizers to use.
Finally
Even a novice vegetable grower should know the main signs of potato cancer. This will allow timely detection of plant disease and reporting to the appropriate services. It is impossible to cope with the disease on your own. The infected area must be quarantined.
It is worth noting that preventive measures avoid the loss of potato crops andother vegetables in the garden plot, as well as in the sown fields. When crop rotation is observed, soil contamination is extremely rare. In addition to observing the sowing rules, many resort to other preventive measures. Potato variety plays a special role, as well as the choice of fertilizers.
