Institut für Pflanzenschutz in Ackerbau und Grünland
Potato production is increasingly threatened by diseases caused by a variety of pathogens, including Synchytrium endobioticum (potato wart), Ralstonia solanacearum, potato mop-top virus, and phytoplasmas. These pathogens significantly reduce both yield and quality, posing a serious risk of economic loss and necessitating quarantine regulations. The transmission and spread of these diseases are often facilitated by infected seed potatoes or biological vectors, underscoring the importance of early detection and effective pest management in protecting potato crops.This research topic seeks to develop integrated, comprehensive strategies for managing potato diseases and their vectors, with a strong emphasis on advancing biological understanding, improving diagnostic techniques, and creating effective control measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of potato production. For all key pathogens, exploring genetic diversity, vector dynamics, and optimal management approaches will be crucial for refining diagnostic tools, enabling early detection, and facilitating rapid intervention to prevent the spread and impact of these diseases. Potato wart research will focus on: Collections – potato wart (PW) strains, propagation and maintenance protocols, and potato varieties used for pathotyping Genomics – representative PW strain selection, improved DNA extraction protocols, building a synthetic pan genome, deep sequencing, and assembly of sequences with the latest bioinformatics software Validation of diagnostics – qPCR testing for PW and ddPCR for early detection in host tissues Control and biocontrol trials - some of these agents could include: chitin/chitosan, phosphites, small molecules that serves to disrupt (e.g. enzymes, Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS)), fungi/bacteria/mycoviruses. Resistance breeding trials - validate potato variety resistance to different pathotypes.
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity
