Abstract
Zebra chip (ZC), a new and serious disease of potatoes, has caused millions of dollars in losses to the potato industry in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and New Zealand. The disease has been associated with the bacterium “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” transmitted to potato by the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc). The most characteristic symptoms of ZC develop in potato tubers and include browning of vascular tissue concomitant with necrotic flecking of internal tissues and streaking of the medullary ray tissues, all of which can affect the entire tuber. Upon tuber frying, these symptoms become more pronounced and potato chips or fries processed from ZC-affected tubers show very dark blotches, stripes, or streaks, rendering them commercially unacceptable. Field experiments were conducted to determine how rapidly ZC symptoms develop in potato tubers following plant exposure to liberibacter-infective potato psyllids and to assess how the disease affects the overall potato yield and tuber processing quality over time. Results indicated that ZC symptoms developed in potato tubers 3 weeks following plant exposure to psyllids. Tuber development ceased upon the onset of ZC symptoms, resulting in substantial yield loss. Levels of tuber solids decreased as soon as initial disease symptoms were observed. In contrast, reducing sugar levels in tubers increased dramatically upon the onset of ZC symptoms, significantly affecting potato processing quality. This information, in combination with effective psyllid monitoring and control, will assist potato producers make harvest timing decisions following infestations of potato psyllids in their fields to minimize damage caused by ZC.
Resumen
Zebra chip (ZC), una enfermedad nueva y seria en papa, ha causado millones de dólares en pérdidas a la industria de la papa en los Estados Unidos, México, América Central y Nueva Zelanda. Se ha asociado a la enfermedad con la bacteria “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum”, transmitida a la papa por el psílido Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc). Los síntomas más característicos de ZC se desarrollan en los tubérculos de papa e incluyen pardeamiento del tejido vascular acompañado de pecas necróticas de tejidos internos y estriado de los tejidos medulares radiales, lo cual en su conjunto puede afectar al tubérculo completo. Estos síntomas se vuelven mas pronunciados en el freído, y las hojuelas de papa o las fritas (a la francesa) procesadas de tubérculos afectados por ZC muestran áreas muy oscuras, rayas, estriados, haciéndolas comercialmente inaceptables. Se condujeron experimentos de campo para determinar que tan rápido se desarrollan los síntomas de ZC en los tubérculos de papa después de la exposición de las plantas a psílidos infectivos por Liberibacter y para analizar cómo afecta la enfermedad el rendimiento total de papa y la calidad de proceso sobre el tiempo. Los resultados indicaron que los síntomas se desarrollaron en los tubérculos tres semanas después de la exposición de la planta a los psílidos. Se detuvo el desarrollo del tubérculo una vez que se establecieron los síntomas de ZC, lo cual resultó en una pérdida substancial de rendimiento. Disminuyeron los niveles de los sólidos en el tubérculo tan pronto como se observaron los síntomas iniciales de la enfermedad. En contraste, aumentaron dramáticamente los niveles de azúcares reductores en los tubérculos con el establecimiento de los síntomas, afectando significativamente la calidad de procesamiento. Esta información, en combinación con el monitoreo y control efectivo del psílido, respaldará a los productores de papa en sus decisiones de tiempo de cosecha después de las infestaciones por los psílidos en sus campos para minimizar el daño causado por ZC.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Jerry Gefre, Blaine Heilman, and Millie Heidt for their invaluable technical assistance. Financial support for this work was partially provided by Frito Lay, Inc., USDA-ARS State Cooperative Potato Research Program, Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas AgriLife, USDA-RAMP (Project # 2009-51101-05892) and USDA-SCRI (Project #2009-51181-20176).
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Buchman, J.L., Fisher, T.W., Sengoda, V.G. et al. Zebra Chip Progression: From Inoculation of Potato Plants with Liberibacter to Development of Disease Symptoms in Tubers. Am. J. Pot Res 89, 159–168 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-012-9238-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-012-9238-3