African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Review

The epidemiology of Pectobacterium and Dickeya species and the role of calcium in postharvest soft rot infection of potato (Solanum tuberosum) caused by the pathogens: A review

Colleta Chipo Mantsebo
  • Colleta Chipo Mantsebo
  • Crop Science Department, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 176 Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Upenyu Mazarura*
  • Upenyu Mazarura*
  • Crop Science Department, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 176 Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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M. Goss
  • M. Goss
  • Crop Science Department, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 176 Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Elizabeth Ngadze
  • Elizabeth Ngadze
  • Crop Science Department, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 176 Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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  •  Received: 27 January 2014
  •  Accepted: 16 April 2014
  •  Published: 08 May 2014

Abstract

Contamination of potato with soft rotting enterobacteria belonging to the Pectobacterium and Dickeya genera is one of the biggest problems in potato production. Calcium plays an important role in minimising the severity and incidence of potato tuber soft rot in storage. This review gives a detailed assessment of the epidemiology of the pathogens and how calcium affects potato tuber soft rot in storage.

Key words: Potato, soft rot, calcium, Pectobacterium, Dickeya.