ASSESSMENT OF INOCULATION TECHNIQUES AND EVALUATION OF FUNGICIDES AGAINST POTATO Fusarium DRY ROT

Abstract

Five methods of inoculating Fusarium spp., the causal organisms of potato dry rot, were assessed to find the most suitable technique to evaluate the effectiveness of fungicides against the disease. Depositing 0.2 mL of spore suspension (10 spores/mL) of Fusarium spp. into holes in the tubers was the best inoculation method resulting in 75% tuber infection at 12 days after inoculation. Seven fungicides were evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling the disease in stored potato tubers. Benlate at the rate of 3 tbsp/19 L water was most effective in minimizing tuber infection and lowering the rate of lesion development. Dithane M-45 and Captan were also effective in controlling the disease and are good alternatives for Benlate.