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OCCURRENCE OF SPONGOSPORA SUBTERRANEA IN SOILS OF POTATO GROWING AREAS OF PAKISTAN

SHAMIM IFTIKHAR, IFTIKHAR AHMAD AND ABDUL HAMEED*

Abstract: Powdery scab of potato caused by Spongospora subterranea (Wallr.) Lagerheim has been reported in Pakistan in 1980's. The fungus which is a vector of potato mop-top virus remains in soil for long period and is also seed borne. Once the pathogen is introduced in an uncontaminated area it is difficult to eradicate. The presence of S. subterranea has recently been confirmed in soil of Astak valley of Northern Pakistan. During a survey all the 6 potato production agro-ecological zones including Central Punjab (zone 2), Northern Punjab (zone 3), NWFP (zone 4), Kaghan, Kalam and Chitral valley (zone 6), Gilgit and Skardu (zone 7) and Balochistan (zone 8) were found infected with S. subterranea.The highest infested locations are in Chitral valley and in Northern Punjab. Gilgit has lowest infested locations. The soils of two major seed producing areas of Gilgit including Gupis and Yasin districts are still free of S. subterranea.

Crop Diseases Research Programme, Institute of Plant and Environmental Protection, NARC, PARC, P.O. Box 1031, Islamabad.
Department of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.