ISHS Acta Horticulturae 670: I International Symposium on Root and Tuber Crops: Food Down Under
SWEETPOTATO VINE RESISTANCE TO SCLEROTINIA ROT |
| Authors: | S.L. Lewthwaite, P.J. Wright |
| Keywords: | Ipomoea batatas; cultivar; Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; disease |
| Abstract:
The sweetpotato crop has a long history in New Zealand and remains an important part of the local diet. Crop management to reduce or eliminate the effect of disease is central to ensuring its sustainable production. The pathogens recognised as significant within the present production system are all fungal, of which Monilochaetes infuscans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum are particularly important. While M. infuscans has received global attention, significant S. sclerotiorum infection with regard to the sweetpotato crop appears peculiar to New Zealand. Vine resistance to Sclerotinia rot was assessed amongst locally available sweetpotato cultivars using a laboratory based inoculation system. The USA-bred cultivar ‘Beauregard’ was significantly resistant to Sclerotinia rot compared to all other cultivars examined. The predominant New Zealand cultivar ‘Owairaka Red’ and the Japanese cultivar ‘Beniazuma’ were moderately susceptible. New Zealand cultivar ‘Toka Toka Gold’ was especially sensitive to Sclerotinia rot. Local field conditions, along with sweetpotato canopy characteristics leading up to harvest, appear particularly conducive to Sclerotinia infection. The significance of Sclerotinia rot within the New Zealand sweetpotato production system is due to both genetic and environmental factors. Development of cultivars with vines resistant to Sclerotinia infection would assist in maintaining crop production over high-risk seasons. | |
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