Effects of tillage and organic fertilization on potato tuber dry rot under Mediterranean conditions
Author(s)
Catalani, Alessia
Jasarevic, Merima
Radicetti, Emanuele
Date Issued
2024
Type
article
Volume
170
Issue
1
Start Page
189
End Page
203
Abstract
Dry rot of potato caused by Fusarium
spp. affects tubers in the field and during storage and
represents the primary postharvest loss. The present
study aimed to assess, in a two-year trial (2021–2022)
conducted in Central Italy, the effects of a sustainable
and circular cultural model consisting of two conservative
tillage techniques (subsoiling and spading)
versus ploughing and organic fertilization by compost
versus mineral fertiliser on the severity of tuber dry
rot and fungal species involved. A high percentage of
dry-rotted tubers was recorded in the cropping season
2022, characterized by abnormally high temperatures.
In 2022, spading combined with compost fertilization
led to a significant decrease in dry rot. Fusarium
brachygibbosum was the predominant and most virulent
pathogen isolated from symptomatic tubers, followed
by F. oxysporum and F. equiseti. Fertilization
with compost, particularly when combined with subsoiling,
significantlu decreased the frequency of F.
brachygibbosum. On symptomatic tubers, the antagonists
and hyperparasites Trichoderma atroviride
and T. gamsii were also isolated, more frequently on
tubers from organically fertilized plots. The saprophytic
and antagonistic fungus Linnemannia elongata
was isolated on tubers from subsoiling. Plants grown
on soil fertilized with compost significantly increased
colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus
identified as Paraglomus occultum. Sustainable and
circular agriculture management systems can maintain
or restore soil fertility through conservative tillering
and organic fertilization and minimizing losses
due to diseases such as dry rot of potato tubers.
Subjects