Major diseases and their control in potato crop
Major diseases and their control in potato crop
Potato is known as the third most important crop of the country in terms of consumption. Potato is cultivated on a large scale as a cash crop in our country. Potato crop is called the friend of the poor. It is sown in the Rabi season in the month of October and maximum production is achieved even from less land, but disease and pest have a lot of contribution in affecting the production of potato. In addition to the reduction in production due to the effects of diseases and pests, the quality of crop yield also decreases. Due to which the market price of the produce is also low. That is why keeping in mind an important crop of farmers, information about the identification and prevention of major diseases of potato crop has been given in this article.
1. Early blight disease of potato This disease is caused by a fungus called Alternaria solanai, the symptoms of this disease appear in the form of small scattered spots of light brown color on the lower leaves of plants 3 to 4 weeks after sowing the crop. Which later, under favorable conditions, spread to the entire leaves, causing the leaves to become destroyed. Symptoms of this disease are also seen in potatoes, brown spots spread in potatoes also, due to which the size of potato decreases and its quality decreases.
2. Late blight disease of potato This disease is caused by a fungus called Phytophthora infestans. The effect of this disease is visible in both plain and hilly areas. When there is high humidity and humidity in the environment and it rains for many days, then the outbreak of this disease is more. This disease destroys green leaves of plants within a week, white colored balls are formed on the lower surfaces of the leaves, which later turn brown and black. The characteristic feature of this disease is the browning of the edge and top of the leaves and scorching. The effect of this disease is also seen on the leaves, branches and tubers of potato.
3. Leaf curl disease of potato This is a virus borne disease which is spread by Solanum virus. The characteristic symptom of this disease is yellowing of the central vein of the old leaves and from there it turns upwards. Such leaves are thick, rough, and brittle which break at the mere touch. For the prevention of this disease, disease free seeds should be sown and necessary measures should be adopted to prevent the carrier of this virus.
4. Potato brown rot disease This is a bacterial disease, the diseased plants become dwarf as compared to the normal plants, which fades from green to green in no time. Due to which their growth stops, the diseased plant dries up and the bacteria reach the top part of the plant from the root. If a tuber is formed in these plants, then on cutting it, a brown circle appears which when cut and pressed, white juice comes out.
Integrated measures for disease control
• Summer deep plowing should be done.
• Always sow healthy, certified and treated seeds.
• Disease resistant varieties like Kufri Alankar, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Jeevan and Kufri Sindoori etc. should be selected for sowing.
• Cleaning the field before sowing the crop and burning the plant residues should be destroyed.
• Use of green manure in the field before sowing the crop also reduces the disease.
• In case of protection against soil borne diseases, crop rotation of at least 2 years should be adopted.
• Healthy tubers should be selected for seed and kept aside before storage.
• For disease control in the crop use 500 gram Biowell Anti Stress Bio Trooper, Spraying should be done by making a solution of 150 liters of water per acre.
