Survey of fungal diseases associated with aerial stems and leaves of potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) in some irrigated fields in Kaduna and Katsina States of Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine the incidence of fungal diseases associated with aerial stems and leaves of Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in some irrigated fields in Kaduna and Katsina states. The fields were selected based on systematic random sampling method and the samples were collected using stratified random sampling (SRDS) techniques. Disease symptoms were identified using CABI and CIP description of potato diseases. A total of four fungal diseases were found to be associated with aerial stems and leaves that included early blight (17.8%), leaf blight (48.7%) Fusarium wilt (21.1%) and Sclerotinia wilt (12. 29%). The fungi were identified based on standard mycological methods. The colonies observed were distinguished microscopically and macroscopically. Six genera of fungi were isolated from the wilted aerial stems and blighted leaves as Fusarium sp (18.7%), Sclerotium sp (18.7%) and Alternaria sp (18.7%); Helminthosporium sp (18.7%) had the highest frequency of occurrence. Botrytis sp (17.7%) and Stemphylium sp (5.6%) had the least frequency of occurrence. The results of this study could be used for further studies in plant protection and disease management.