Soil- and Tuber-Borne Diseases of Potato

Potato cultivation in developed and developing nations is consistently threatened by biotic stressors that critically hamper crop production and productivity. In the current global climate change scenario, there is a dynamic shift in pathogenicity, epidemiology, survivability, mode of infection and host-pathogen interaction of potato pathogens. The diseases that were considered minor and less damaging earlier are now emerging as major concerns in the potato cultivation system. In the present book chapter, we address these emerging challenges and the way forward in mitigation. Among the fungal (including oomycete) soil and tuber-borne diseases, we have highlighted the critical concerns and possible management of late blight, early blight, black scurf and stem canker, dry rot, silver scurf, and powdery scab, which are raising alarms in the potato processing industry. The major bacterial diseases such as bacterial wilt, soft rot, and common scab have also been elucidated from the perspective of management. The book chapter also describes modern insights into novel management strategies for these pathogens. In conclusion, the potato disease scenario is changing. With rising consumer awareness and huge industrial demands for disease-free potatoes, the appropriate amalgamation of conventional and modern management strategies is the way forward for sustainable disease management.