Dangerous potato disease brought to India from Europe could be the main cause of crop loss and harm millions of farmers
Scientists from West Bengal State University in India have discovered 19 unique and highly aggressive varieties of Phytophthora infestans, a microorganism that causes brown rot of potatoes, causing the tubers to wrinkle and rot.
These varieties belong to the European genotype 13_A2 and are responsible for the brown rot epidemic in West Bengal in 2013-2014, which led to a catastrophic decline in the potato harvest, as a result of which many farmers, because of the inability to earn and repay loans, committed suicide.
It was found that the diversity of pathogen populations studied in eastern and northeast India is the highest in areas located near the international borders with Bangladesh and Nepal. Both countries regularly import potatoes from other countries.
According to thehindubusinessline.com, earlier in the analysis of potatoes at the Indian Institute for Horticultural Research, the European potato pathogen 13_A2 was discovered, brought in with potato supplies from Europe and the UK. It was he who caused the outbreak of potato late blight in southern India.
The authorities intend to strengthen phytosanitary control in relation to imported potatoes from any countries where late blight may occur.
Read more: https://www.agroxxi.ru