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A comparison of potato seed-tuber sampling strategies using visual and DNA analyses to estimate incidence of major seed tuber-borne pathogens

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Abstract

Potato seed certification is a disease management tool that minimises the risk of spreading seed tuber-borne inoculum of infectious diseases. Traditionally, certification sampling strategies have relied upon visual assessment of a seedlot from samples taken at one or two points within the load of seed tubers. However methodologies in selection of tuber samples have not been critically assessed for their precision in estimating disease load. This study presents an analysis of 37 potato seedlots over a 3 year period. Analysis of sample data using receiver operating curves (ROCs) indicates that point sampling taking two samples of 100 tubers at the beginning and end of a seedlot gives equivalent disease estimation as a continuous sampling strategy taking ten samples of 20 tubers randomly throughout the seedlot, although at lower statistical precision. This was confirmed both by visual assessment of tuber-borne disease and by analysis of pathogen DNA content from tuber peel. Across the 3 years of study, powdery scab and black scurf were the major seed tuber-borne diseases recognised and this corresponded with high levels of pathogen DNA from peel analysis for both Spongospora subterranea and Rhizoctonia solani AG3 respectively.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Iain Kirkwood for initial project conception and development. We also thank Philip Beveridge, Ann-Maree Donoghue and Leonie White for the collection of seedlot samples and assistance with the visual inspections. The research presented is part of a multi-pronged research drive through the Australian Potato Research Program (Phase 2), funded by Horticulture Australia Limited using the processing potato industry levy and matched funds from the Federal Government. The University of Tasmania/Tasmania Institute of Agriculture has provided in-kind support.

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  1. Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, New Town Research Laboratories, 13 St. Johns Ave., New Town, Tasmania, 7008, Australia

    Robert S. Tegg, Ross Corkrey & Calum R. Wilson

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  1. Robert S. Tegg
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  2. Ross Corkrey
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  3. Calum R. Wilson
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Correspondence to Robert S. Tegg.

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Tegg, R.S., Corkrey, R. & Wilson, C.R. A comparison of potato seed-tuber sampling strategies using visual and DNA analyses to estimate incidence of major seed tuber-borne pathogens. Eur J Plant Pathol 139, 359–367 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-014-0392-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-014-0392-y

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