Understanding Corky Ringspot in Potatoes: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Potatoes are a staple food for many people worldwide. They are versatile and can be cooked in various ways. However, the quality of potatoes can be affected by different pathogens and pests, including corky ringspot. Corky ringspot is a serious disease that affects potato tubers and causes significant economic losses to farmers. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and management of corky ringspot in potatoes.

What is Corky Ringspot?

Corky ringspot is a viral disease that affects potato plants. It is caused by the Tobacco rattle virus (TRV), which belongs to the family Virgaviridae. The virus can persist in soil and infect potato plants through root transmission. Once infected, the virus spreads throughout the plant, causing several symptoms.

Symptoms of Corky Ringspot

The symptoms of corky ringspot vary depending on the potato variety, the severity of the infection, and environmental conditions. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Corky rings on potato tubers: This is the most apparent symptom of corky ringspot. Infected tubers develop raised, corky rings that are brown or black in color. These rings can be irregularly shaped and affect both the skin and flesh of the tuber.
• Brown arcs or streaks on stems and leaves: Infected plants may develop brown arcs or streaks on their stems and leaves. These symptoms are more visible during early growth stages.
• Reduced yield: Corky ringspot can reduce the yield of potato plants significantly. Infected tubers may be smaller, misshapen, and have lower dry matter content than healthy tubers.

Causes of Corky Ringspot

Corky ringspot is caused by the Tobacco rattle virus, which is transmitted through soil, contaminated equipment, and infected planting material. The virus can remain in soil for several years, making crop rotation an essential practice for preventing its spread. Other factors that can contribute to the spread of corky ringspot include:

• Infected seed potatoes: Planting infected seed potatoes is one of the primary ways corky ringspot spreads from one potato field to another.
• Contaminated equipment: Tools and equipment used in infected fields can easily spread corky ringspot to healthy fields if not properly cleaned and disinfected.
• Soilborne diseases: Soilborne diseases like Verticillium wilt and Rhizoctonia solani can weaken potato plants, making them more susceptible to corky ringspot infection.

Management of Corky Ringspot

Preventing corky ringspot requires a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control measures. Some of the management practices that can help reduce the incidence of corky ringspot include:

• Plant certified seed potatoes: Using certified seed potatoes that are free from corky ringspot is the best way to prevent its introduction into a potato field.
• Crop rotation: Crop rotation can help reduce the buildup of the virus in the soil. Avoid planting potatoes in the same field for at least three years after a corky ringspot outbreak.
• Sanitation: Cleaning and disinfecting equipment and tools before moving them from an infected field to a healthy field can help prevent the spread of corky ringspot.
• Fungicide treatment: Although there are no specific fungicides for treating corky ringspot, some chemicals can reduce the incidence of the disease in potato crops.

Potato field management

Corky ringspot is a significant disease that affects potato plants worldwide. The disease can cause significant economic losses to farmers by reducing the yield and quality of potato tubers. Preventing the introduction and spread of corky ringspot requires a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical control measures. Planting certified seed potatoes, practicing crop rotation, maintaining proper sanitation, and using fungicides are some of the management practices that can help reduce the incidence of corky ringspot.

Potato diseases, Virus, Soilborne diseases, Crop rotation, Sanitation, Fungicide treatment