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Disease Cycle of late blight in potato caused by Phytophthora Infestans

In the case of potato crops, Phytophthora infestans remains in form of mycelium in


tubers after harvest. Infected tubers are the main inoculum for late blight disease as
they initiate a new cycle in future campaigns when used as seeds. Once a new plant
emerges, it gets infected by the mycelium in the tuber, which provokes that the
pathogen reaches the stem and leaves of the host (Acuña & Torres, 2008).
Mycelium of P. infestans causes cellular collapse in the plant, and therefore brownish
lesions on leaves and stems. From this mycelium, the pathogen develops
sporangiophores of undetermined growth. Sporangia grows from the tips of
sporangiophores’ ramifications and will be secondary inoculum in the campaign
when infected tubers were planted.
Sporangia can be the inoculum themselves or release zoospores, depending on
temperature and moisture conditions. Whichever is the case, Sporangia needs first
to be taken to another plant to germinate, so they have on rainwater and wind their
main way of dispersion. Wind takes away sporangia to other leaves, which germinate
only if there is enough humidity. Depending on temperature, it releases 6 to 8
zoospores (under 18°C) or germinates directly (at 21 – 26°C), which explains why
the disease spreads so quickly in cold temperatures (Schumann & D’Arcy, 2000).

Rainwater washes away sporangia from the leaves conducting them into the soil,
which provokes tubers infection. The pathogen will remain as mycelium and will
reinitiate the cycle if the tuber is planted in the next campaign. However, pathogen-
free tubers can get also infected during harvest due to manipulation with infected
tubers and foliage.
According to Schumann & D’Arcy (2000), Phytophthora infestans can proceed to
initiate a different disease cycle in which sexual reproduction is involved. When both
mating groups A1 and A2 of P. infestans get in contact, an oospore is form. This
thick-walled oospore, in opposition to sporangia, can remain in the soil or foliage for
very long time, waiting for good atmospheric conditions to germinate as sporangium
and initiate a new cycle of late blight disease in potato crops.

References
- Schumann, G.L. and C. J. D’Arcy. 2000. Late blight of potato and tomato.
The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2000-0724-01.

- Acuña I. & Torres H. 2008. El tizón tardío de la papa. Informativo Remehue


N°22. Instituto de Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. 4pp.

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