Zebra chip and purple top: An overview on two emerging diseases of potato
Milan Ghosh, Tamalika Kumari and Ria Mukhopadhyay
Potatoes rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants were a life-saving food. But it’s yield suffers a huge loss due to disease-pest infestation. Emerging diseases pose significant threats to potato cultivation and its production. Two such diseases are zebra chip and purple top wilt of potato highlight the complexity of emerging disease challenges in potato production.
Zebra chip, caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, leads to severe economic losses globally. It is transmitted by the potato psyllid insect. Infected plants develop unsightly dark streaks in their tubers when fried, rendering them unmarketable. Management relies on integrated pest management strategies, resistant cultivars, and pathogen surveillance.
Purple top, caused by phytoplasma, is transmitted by the beet leafhopper. This disease causes discoloration and deformation of leaves, stunting plant growth and reducing yields. Infected potato tubers show purple discoloration and decreased market quality. Disease management encompasses vector control, crop rotation, and utilization of disease-free seed material.
Early detection, vigilant monitoring, robust quarantine measures, and development of resistant varieties are crucial components of safeguarding potato crops from these threats. Additionally, continued research to understand the biology and epidemiology of these diseases is essential to formulate effective control strategies in the ever-evolving field of agriculture.
Milan Ghosh, Tamalika Kumari, Ria Mukhopadhyay. Zebra chip and purple top: An overview on two emerging diseases of potato. Int J Res Agron 2024;7(4S):63-66. DOI: 10.33545/2618060X.2024.v7.i4Sa.532
