Blackleg (potatoes)

Blackleg of Potato complete plant wilt in field. These plants can sometimes be lost in the canopy.

Blackleg is a plant disease of potato caused by pectolytic bacteria that can result in stunting, wilting, chlorosis of leaves, necrosis of several tissues, a decline in yield, and at times the death of the potato plant. The term "blackleg" originates from the typical blackening and decay of the lower stem portion, or "leg", of the plant.[1]

Blackleg in potatoes is most commonly caused by Pectobacterium atrosepticum (older synonym: Erwinia carotovora subsp. astroseptica), a gram-negative, nonsporulating, facultative anaerobe that is also associated with soft rot of potatoes. While other bacterial species such as Pectobacterium carotovorum and Dickeya dadantii can exhibit symptoms similar to blackleg of potato, these pathogens exhibit broader host ranges, are present in different climates, and typically are more associated with soft rot diseases.[1][2]

  1. ^ a b De Boer S. H. 2004. "Blackleg of potato". The Plant Health Instructor. DOI:10.1094/PHI-I-2004-0712-01
  2. ^ Ali HF, Ahmad M, Junaid M, Bibi A, Ali A, Sharif M, Ali B, Nawab K, Sadozai A. 2012. Inoculum Sources, Disease Incidence and Severity of Bacterial Blackleg and Soft Rot of Potato. Pakistan Journal of Botany 44:825-830.