What is potato tumor?

Potato tumor is a disease of potatoes caused by the bacterium _Ralstonia solanacearum_. The disease is also known as bacterial wilt, brown rot, or southern wilt. Potato tumor can cause significant losses in potato crops, especially in warm, moist climates.

Symptoms

The symptoms of potato tumor vary depending on the stage of the disease. Early symptoms include wilting of the leaves, yellowing of the foliage, and stunting of the plants. As the disease progresses, the stems and tubers of the plants become soft and rotted. The tubers may also develop brown or black spots.

Disease Cycle

_Ralstonia solanacearum_ survives in the soil and can be spread by water, insects, or infected plant material. The bacteria enter the plant through the roots or wounds in the stems. Once inside the plant, the bacteria multiply and spread through the vascular system, causing the plant to wilt and rot.

Management

There is no cure for potato tumor, but there are a number of things that can be done to manage the disease:

* Use disease-free seed potatoes.

* Plant potatoes in well-drained soil.

* Avoid planting potatoes in fields that have a history of potato tumor.

* Rotate potato crops with other crops.

* Irrigate potatoes carefully to avoid wetting the foliage.

* Scout fields for symptoms of potato tumor and remove infected plants.

* Apply bactericides to control the bacteria.

Economic Impact

Potato tumor can cause significant losses in potato crops. In some cases, entire fields may be lost. The disease can also reduce the quality of the potatoes that are harvested, making them less valuable to consumers.