Fungal Biodiversity of Potato Tubers

Abstract

The paper presents information on strains of 53 species of fungi isolated from potato tubers. Samples of affected and healthy potato tubers were collected in various regions of Russia (Astrakhan, Bryansk, Vladimir, Voronezh, Irkutsk, Kaluga, Kostroma, Magadan, Moscow, Tambov, Tula, Kamchatka, and Krasnodar regions; Republics of Adygea, Crimea, Mari El, Sakha-Yakutia) between 2014 and 2022. 36 species presented in the work are new and have not been previously found on tubers. Among them, there are both phytopathogens and species that can be used as potential biocontrol agents (competitive saprotrophs, mycotrophs). Species known as endophytes have been found, as well as poorly studied species whose role on tubers remains unknown. The work does not include well-known potato pathogens, new species, information about which was previously published by the authors, as well as a variety of Fusarium spp. fungi, on which separate publications are being prepared. The study shows the complex diversity of fungi in the composition of the potato microbiota, which indicates the need for a thorough analysis of the microbiota in the development and application of tuber protection systems.