Archives

One of the most popular non-grain crops worldwide is the potato. Pests and diseases, however, cause a 17% reduction in global production. After rice, wheat, and maize, potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are the fourth most significant crop in the world. The Irish famine of the 1840s was brought on by the illness known as potato late blight, which is still the most detrimental to potato output worldwide and is brought on by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans. This study used a randomized complete block design during the 2022 growing season at the National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Islamabad, to effectively control Phytophthora infestans and increase Potato productivity. The inquiry covered a variety of treatments, such as conventional methods, chemical insecticides, biological agents, and a combined strategy. The selected Potato variety, Kuroda, was subjected to careful plot design and management. Sesame crop rotation dramatically decreased the incidence of Phytophthora infestans (42%, severity 2.2). When using chemical pesticides, late blight disease incidence was reduced to 59% and severity to 2.9, demonstrating a reasonable level of effectiveness. The incidence of the disease (34%) and its severity (1.4) significantly decreased after Trichoderma harzianum or Bacillus spp were introduced as a biological agent. Impressively, the combined strategy that included Trichoderma harzianum and Fungazil produced outstanding results with disease incidence at 26% and severity at 1.1. The yield of crops had been impacted in significant ways. The study emphasizes the value of integrated approaches to controlling potato late blight, including methods to increase crop output through chemical, biological, and cultural means. However, difficulties brought on by the condition hinder optimal light intensity and yield. These results indicate the combined strength of chemical and biological agents and emphasize the effectiveness of integrated disease control systems.

https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF050101