Potato cancer: signs, treatment and prevention + photo

Potato cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases affecting potato tubers. As a result of infection, the fetus has an unattractive appearance. Worst of all, it becomes unfit for consumption. Cancer is common not only in Europe, but also on other continents.

Signs of potato damage

The disease is distinguished by certain symptoms. If detected early, infection can be prevented and the he althy part of the crop can be preserved. Potato tubers are covered with growths that are similar to the shape of cauliflower.As a rule, they appear from the eyes. The value can vary from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters.

Growths on a potato tuber at the beginning of the disease have a light yellow tint. Over time, the color changes to dark brown. The infected fruit decays and rots. In rare cases, they appear between the lower leaves and stems. If the roots remain intact, this means that the disease affects young tissues.

Signs of the disease may vary depending on climatic conditions. If they are unfavorable, leaf-like growths are shaped like pine cones. Top covered with small hard scab-like crusts. The corrugated form of infection leads to the fact that the tubers become wrinkled, the skin of the potato is covered with depressions, sagging and waves.

Pathogen

The development of the disease occurs under the influence of a pathogenic fungus. Its name is Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Perc. In addition to the potato tuber, it also parasitizes on tomatoes, wild nightshade and physalis. In this case, the fungus affects the root system of crops.

Pest features

Fungus cannot survive drought or cold. Therefore, there is no potato cancer in the southern and northern regions. In the first case, over a long period of time, the soil warms up to +30 °C to a depth of 10 cm. In the second case, it freezes to -11 °C.

Wintering of a pathogenic fungus in the soil occurs in the form of zoosporangia. They are cysts, covered with a strong shell. In spring they transform into zoospores. Zoosporangia tend to live in the soil for 30 years, waiting for the right conditions.

For the full development of the fungus, the soil temperature should be in the range from +15 to +18 °C.In this case, the humidity is not less than 80%. The same conditions must be for the normal growth of potatoes. Most of the zoosporangia are formed from June to July. Just when the formation of a potato tuber occurs.

Sources of infection

Pathogenic fungus can enter the land for potatoes in several ways:

• melt water in spring;
• dung from animals fed raw potato fruits;
• through tools used in the quarantine zone;
• gardener's shoes and clothes;
• fungus is carried by insects and earthworms;
• diseased potato tubers serving as planting material.

Earthworms are able to live deep in the soil layers. They are the main carriers of the fungus. The causative agents of the disease are found at a depth of 50 cm from the surface of the earth. Such cases are quite common.

The intracellular organism, due to which the disease develops, is highly resistant to external conditions. That is why the source of infection can be stored in the ground for 30 years. Dry weather slows down the development of the fungus, and some zoospores die as a result of the lack of moisture. Due to its viability, the fungus is dangerous and harmful to potatoes.

Methods of struggle

If at least one infected tuber was found on the site, it is worth immediately reporting to the plant protection inspectorate. To prevent zoosporangia from getting into manure, sick potatoes are not fed to animals. Bushes that are affected by cancer are burned along with the tops and tubers.

To get rid of them, they dump them into a deep hole, sprinkled with bleach on top.

Sick roots are not dangerous to humans, but still they should not be eaten.

Agrotechnology

Every year, in the spring, part of the sporangia is activated. As a rule, only 30% of pathogenic fungi withstand the winter cold. The essence of agricultural practices is to open as many cysts as possible. Zoospores that do not find a host die.

To achieve this, use the following methods:

1. In the spring, before planting potatoes, fertilize the area. At least 300 kg of manure goes to 1 acre of land. Disinfection of the land in the greenhouse occurs under the influence of urea. For 1 sq. m goes 1.5 substances.
2. A plot of land where potatoes grew last year is being planted with corn. The root system of the culture secretes a special substance that promotes the release of zoospores. Legumes and rye are considered good "cleaners" of the soil.
3. Planting fungus-resistant potato varieties.

Vegetables are actually highly sensitive to the effects of zoospores. The affected cell is deprived of the ability to feed the parasite and eventually dies. The tissues around it harden, forming a pustule in which the dead pathogen is enclosed. He althy tissue pushes out the pustule and the wound heals.

The soil can be completely cleared within 6 years by planting varieties of potatoes that are resistant to attack by the fungus. At the same time, the variety is changed every 4 years to exclude the possibility of potato cancer adapting to it. In no case is it recommended to sow infected places with Sineglazka and Lorch. They have a special sensitivity to the pathogen.

Chemistry

Before planting the planting material, it is soaked in a 0.5% solution of Benomyl, another name is Benleint. Alternatively, take a 1% solution of Fundazol. To destroy the source of infection, the earth is watered with pesticides. For 1 sq. m take 20 liters of Nitrofen.

Such actions are a real chemical operation, which should be performed exclusively by a specialist. After the introduction of chemicals, the land is unsuitable for growing any crops. Planting potatoes or any other vegetable is done after 3 years. This method of fighting the fungus is considered the last of all existing ones.

Prevention

Decontamination of the site is a difficult process that requires effort and time. To avoid contamination of the land, you must:

1. Remove weeds in and around the potato patch.
2. Keep crop rotation by not planting the crop in the same place every year in a row. You can plant a vegetable in the same place after 4 years.
3. Do not buy planting material in the place where the infection occurred. The same goes for manure.
4. Do not plant any crops that belong to the nightshade family close to potato beds.
5. If, nevertheless, it was not possible to avoid infection, plant cancer-resistant crops for the next season.

The fungus that causes potato cancer has an incredible vitality. Not every living organism has these properties. For this reason, experts do not recommend planting potatoes of the same variety in the area where the infection occurred.

Be sure to use a different planting material. There is a wide range of potato varieties in the crop market that have good immune system protective properties.

Gardeners who have had to deal with potato cancer should adhere to the rules for combating the disease. Under no circumstances should chemicals be used on their own.Especially when it comes to garden or summer cottages. The procedure for the destruction of the fungus is carried out exclusively by experienced people. The fungus that provokes the development of potato cancer is quite dangerous, requiring immediate action on the part of a person.

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