Resistance of potato varieties to potato tubermoth (phthorimaea opercullela (Zeller).
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Date
2011Author
Were, S.
Olubayo, F.
Nderitu, J. H
Kilalo, D.
Koech, A.
Type
PresentationLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller; PTM) is a major pest of potato (Solanum
tuberosum L.) in the field and store, causing losses of up to 23-47 %. This study evaluated
varietal resistance to tuber moth in potatoes with an aim of contributing to IPM strategies for the
management of the pest. Five potato varieties were screened for natural resistance to PTM in the
field and in storage. The varieties were grown at Kari Tigoni where actively growing plants were
assessed for mines and larvae feeding in the mines. At harvest one thousand two hundred tubers
from each variety were sealed in khaki bags and stored at room temperature in a wooden store at
KARI-Tigoni. Destructive sampling was done to assess PTM damage, larvae and pupae per
sample of ten tubers. There was a significant difference in plants foliage damage in the field
during season one (p≤ 0.01) but not in season two (P≥0.083). Damage on tubers in storage for
the two seasons was significantly different (p≤0.007). Desiree had the least PTM damage both in
the field and store. Kihoro had the highest damage both in the field and storage. Yields were
significantly different (p≤0.018). Desiree had the lowest yields in the two seasons whereas
Tigoni had the highest yields in season one and Kenya Karibu had the highest yields in season
two. Desiree showed resistance to PTM but has a disadvantage in yield while Kihoro was
susceptible to PTM. This information can be used to feed into breeding programs to improve for
pest resistance which can be used as an IPM strategy for management of the pest.
Citation
Were, S.; Olubayo, F.; Nderitu, J. H.; Kilalo, D.; Koech, A. (2011). Resistance of potato varieties to potato tubermoth (phthorimaea opercullela (Zeller). ). Agro 2011 Biennial conference, UON, Nairobi, 20th- 28th2011Publisher
University of Nairobi Plant Science and Crop Protection