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Assessment of Resistance of Tubers of Potato Cultivars to Phytophthora erythroseptica and Pythium ultimum

Tubers of 34 potato cultivars were examined for their susceptibility to infection by zoospores of Phytophthora erythroseptica and mycelia of Pythium ultimum. Incidence of infected tubers (%) and penetration of rot (mm) were the parameters used to determine the susceptibility of each cultivar. Tubers of cv. Atlantic appeared to have some resistance to infection and colonization by Phytophthora erythroseptica. Cvs. Russet Norkotah and Snowden were the most susceptible to infection by P. erythroseptica. Snowden was found to be highly susceptible to P. erythroseptica, but it was the most resistant to Pythium ultimum. Cvs. FL-1625 and FL-1867 also were less susceptible to P. ultimum than the other cultivars. Cvs. Superior, Itasca, and Dark Red Norland were the most susceptible to P. ultimum. Cultivar susceptibility should be considered when making disease management decisions, particularly in fields where these soilborne diseases are a recurring problem.