Appreciation the percentage and severity of infection of Stem Canker and Black Scurf Caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn on Potato in Northern Syria

Abstract

 A field survey was conducted in the main potato cultivation areas in Northern Syria for the fall cropping season of the 2020 and the spring cropping season of the 2021. The survey aims to estimate the rate and severity of infection with black scurf and stem canker disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn.

The results of the field survey showed the prevalence of black scurf and stem canker disease in most potato cultivation areas, where the overall average disease infection rate during the fall cropping season was 60.03% and the average infection severity was 43.57%. The average rate and severity of infection during the spring cropping season were lower than in the fall season, with an average rate of infection of 40.21% and an average infection severity of 17.04%.

The results showed also, that the Panella variety was one of the varieties most susceptible to stem canker and black scurf disease on potatoes compared to other varieties.