Current perspectives on potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and its sustainable management strategies

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) has been a main food crop in many parts of the world including Europe for centuries. Currently, potato is placed as the third major consumed human food crop globally following wheat and rice, it plays a significant role in nutrient supply of most nations in the world. Despite the support of potato to the world food security, its production faced a serious constraint that is detrimental to both the crop and the consumers. This production constraint includes diseases, among which is potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Irish famine pathogen), the most disturbing disease that causes great concern to the growers, home gardeners and scientist all over the world. Difficulty in controlling this disease is attributable to long survivability of the pathogen and its existence in diverse pathogenic races. Using a single method alone, is completely ineffective in managing potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans. This paper has examined the integrated disease management strategy to control the menace of this devastating fungus and other oomycetes. In order to achieve a sustainable disease management, the use of integrated approach is highly recommended. This review will provide farmers with various methods to be integrated as management package for potato late blight and related diseases.

Keywords: Integrated disease management, use of host resistance cultivars, oomycetes, cultural practices, fungicide, Irish potato