On potatoes during the growing season and tubers when stored in the Chinese province of Xinjiang, local scientists have discovered a new pathogen - Galactomyces candidum F12. This is reported by the Internet portal SEEDS.org.ua according to AgroTimes.
Scientists from the Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences isolated the fungus from infected plants and tubers of the Atlantic variety potato.
In infected plants, the leaves have been found to turn yellow and become wrinkled and wither at the edges. On diseased tubers, a large number of depressions and many black lesions, as well as cracks, were found. Some lesions were easy to peel off.
Based on its morphology, molecular characteristics, pathogenicity test and ITS intrinsic sequence, the pathogen was identified as Galactomyces candidum F12.
Further studies of the biological characteristics also showed that the hyphae and conidia of the pathogenic fungus grew faster at + 30 ° C and pH7.
In addition, 12 hours of continuous illumination was beneficial for hyphae growth, whereas 24 hours of continuous illumination was beneficial for sporulation of the strain at 30 ° C. Scientists plan to continue research on the pathogen.