Potentially Dangerous Causes of Bacterial Diseases of Potatoes in Ukraine

Abstract

An overview of bacterial causative agents of soft (wet) rot of potatoes is given, the epidemiological and etiological aspects of the diseases caused by them are analyzed. When preparing the article, general scientific methods were used: generalization, comparison, system analysis. Data from the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EOPO), as well as data from phytosanitary services of EU countries and Ukraine, scientific literature served as material for the analytical study. Trade in plant materials, including potato seed tubers and ornamental plants, is largely responsible for the widespread distribution of pathogens. Locally, pathogens are also spread through plant debris, soil, waterways, aerosols, alternative hosts, and/or farm machinery. The main causative agents of bacterial wet rot of potatoes are gram-negative bacteria of the genera Pectobacterium and Dickeya and quarantine phytopathogens of the genera Clavibacter and Ralstonia. The main methods of detection and identification in asymptomatic potato tubers on an industrial scale are: phytopathological (visual examination of plantations and registration of symptoms of soft rot), microbiological (cultural-morphological and biochemical method, use of test systems for accelerated identification of microorganisms), immunoenzymatic ( enzyme immunosorbent assay), molecular genetic (PCR with specific primers, BIOLOG, DNA fingerprinting and nucleotide sequencing). To date, there are no completely effective pesticides to control all pathogens, so disease control measures will continue to rely primarily on avoiding infection during plant cultivation, and especially during the production of healthy certified seed. For a crop like potatoes, this is primarily based on obtaining bacteria-free minibulbs, applying strict seed certification schemes and strict phytosanitary restrictions. Knowledge of the sources of pathogens and routes of infection should be the basis for the application of phytosanitary measures, especially during and after harvest. Control of quarantine phytopathogens requires special attention. Soft rot pathogens are the main cause of limiting potato production in many regions of the world, particularly Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicum and R. solanacearum are quarantine objects of the A-2 list of the European and Mediterranean Organization for Quarantine and Plant Protection. Upon entering our country, R. solanacearum has a high probability of acclimatization and spread in the country.