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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #268382
Title: Susceptibility of selected potato varieties to zebra chip potato disease

Author
item Munyaneza, Joseph - Joe
item Buchman, Jeremy
item SENGODA, VENKATESAN - Washington State University
item FISHER, TONJA - Washington State University
item Pearson, Cole

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2011
Publication Date: 9/26/2011
Citation: Munyaneza, J.E., Buchman, J.L., Sengoda, V.G., Fisher, T.W., Pearson, C.C. 2011. Susceptibility of selected potato varieties to zebra chip potato disease. American Journal of Potato Research. 88:435-440. DOI 10.1007/s12230-011-9209-0.

Interpretive Summary: Zebra chip, a new insect-transmitted disease of potato, is causing millions of dollars in losses to the potato industry. Researchers at USDA-ARS Wapato, WA evaluated susceptibility of commercial potato varieties to zebra chip. It was discovered that all important varieties currently being used in potato production are susceptible to the disease. Information from this research suggests that there is an urgent need for developing new potato varieties that are resistant to zebra chip, which will offer the most efficient and sustainable way to manage this serious potato disease.

Technical Abstract: Zebra chip (ZC), an emerging and serious disease of potato has caused millions of dollars in losses to the potato industry in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and New Zealand. The disease has recently been associated with a previously undescribed species of liberibacter tentatively named “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” transmitted to potato by the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc). At present, applications of insecticides targeted against the potato psyllid are the only means to manage ZC. Given the low psyllid density and short inoculation access period required to induce the disease, insecticides may not act fast enough to prevent transmission of liberibacter to potato by the psyllid and development of ZC. Identification and development of ZC-resistant or tolerant varieties may offer the most efficient and sustainable way to manage this potato disease. Susceptibility of selected potato varieties to ZC was evaluated under controlled field cage conditions in 2009 and 2010 in WA by inoculating potato plants with “Ca. L. solanacearum” using infective potato psyllids and monitoring them for ZC symptom development. All potato varieties evaluated in both years of the study were determined to be very susceptible to the disease, with almost 100% of the inoculated plants developing severe ZC foliar and tuber symptoms. Potato yield in all tested varieties was significantly affected by ZC, with yield losses ranging from 49.9 to 87. 2%. Information from this research suggests that there is an urgent need to developing new potato varieties that are resistant or tolerant to this damaging potato disease.