MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR POTATO COMMON SCAB

Common scab (CS) is a major disease and quality issue in potato crops all over the world. Due to surface degradation market value is decreased. In recent years, the understanding of CS has grown significantly, allowing a better identification of the causative pathogens and a better understanding of pathogenicity processes, as well as prospective techniques for modifying pathogen response for disease resistance. Effective control of the disease, on the other hand, remains challenging, and needs a better knowledge of both the host and the pathogen. Irrigation and lowering the pH of the soil are common yet ineffective management techniques. Change in environmental conditions can affect the pathogen virulence which may results in disease reduction. Improving environmental conditions to reduce CS is, paradoxically, conducive for other diseases. Disease resistant potato varieties would be the best control approach. This review, provides an overview of potato CS caused by some Streptomyces species (viz. scabies, europaeiscabiei, turgidiscabies, that produce phytotoxins known as thaxtomins. Recent research findings on disease causes and treatment, and knowledge gaps that prevent successful control of this widespread and severe disease. This review also targets the history, symptoms and casual organisms of CS along with integrated management strategies (IMS) that includes soil amendments and agronomic practices.