1986) SHORT COMMUNICATION 559

F I E L D SCREENING FOR RESISTANCE TO POTATO SMUT

IN PERU
Hebert Torres and Carlos Martin 1
Abstract
Field trials carried out between 1982 and 1984 to evaluate potato clones
and cultivars for their resistance to potato smut indicated that from a total of
179 accessions tested seven were resistant during the three-year tests. Five
accessions were resistant during two consecutive trials b u t t h e n there were
not enough tubers available fora retest for the third time. Accessions that
were resistant during the three consecutive field trials included Peruvian
cultivars Cuzco, Mariva, Mi Pero, Participacion and Revolucion, and
CIP's clones 376181.5 and 6956.52.

Introduction
Potato smut caused by Thecaphorasolani Barros (Angiosorus) was origi-
nally found in Peru only in the highlands, between 2500 and 3500 m above
sea level. However, in 1954 potato smut was reported affecting potatoes in
the coastal valleys of central Peru close to sea level (1). The disease spread
rapidly in susceptible cultivars such as "Peruanita" and production losses
between 50 and 89% were reported during 1958 and 1959 (2). Despite
determined efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture to quarantine in
areas and avoid further spread of the disease, the disease has persisted in the
central coast as reported by Torres, etal. in 1970 (5) and Bazan de Segura
and del Carpio in 1975 (3).
In 1975 the International Potato Center (CIP) conducted trials to
evaluate germplasm for resistance to potato smut in the coastal Valley of
Ca 150 km south of Lima. Zachmann and Baumann (9), and later
Campos (4) reported field resistance.
In recent studies on T. solaniat CIP, soil applications of Dazomet 98%
(Basamid) or methyl bromide (Dowfume MC 2) provided effective but
costly control (7). In recognition of the continuing importance of potato
smut in Peru and in a number of other countries in South America, a field
screening program for resistance was initiated in 1982. This paper reports
the results of field evaluations of potato germplasm for resistance to potato
smut during three consecutive growing seasons.

Materials and M e t h o d s
Three field trials were carried out between 1982 and 1984 to evaluate
potato clones and cultivars for their resistance to potato smut. A total of 179

1PathologyAssistantand Project Leader.The International Potato Center, Apartado5969,

Lima 100, Peru.
560 AMERICANPOTATOJOURNAL (Vol. 63

clones and/or cultivars was tested. The trials were planted in a high inocu-
luto potential, naturally infested field at Comas, Department of Junin, in
the central highland of Peru at 3100 m above sea level.
Materials tested were from the CIP Germplasm Collection and includ-
ed commercial cultivars and advanced clones from CIP breeding programs.
In 1982, 74 cultivars and clones were tested. In 1983 a total of 81 was tested,
including 16 which were retests. Thirteen of the 81 from 1983 which were
symptomless plus 40 additional ciones and cultivars were tested in 1984.
Materials tested for the first time were planted in a randomized complete
block design (RCBD) with four replications and tire tubers per replication.
Each tested tuber was interplanted with a tuber of the highly susceptible
local cultivar "Yungay" (S. andigena x S. andigena). Materials that were
replanted to confirm their resistance were also planted in RCBD with five
replications, the number of tubers per replication varied from 25 to 100,
depending on seed availability. In this case, the cultivar "Yungay" was
included in the designas one more clone.
The three field trials were planted in the second half of June of each
year and harvested during October, depending on the date of maturity of
each clone or cultivar. At planting time, 160-140-120 respectively and 25 kg
per ha of Temik 10G (aldicarb, Union Carbide, Raleigh, NC, U.S.A.) were
applied. Planting and harvesting were done with hand labor. Late blight
was controlled with applications of Mancozeb (Du Pont Co., Wilmington,
DE 19898).
To determine the resistance or susceptibility, each plant was harvested
individually and stems, stolons, and tubers carefully examined for the
presente of hypertrophies (tumors), according to the description given by
Torres (6) and Untiveros, et al. (8). When symptoms were vague and the
appearance of tumors doubtful, plant materials were taken to the laboratory
for further examination.

Results and Discussion

All the susceptible cultivars or ciones had clear hypertrophies in stems,
stolons and/or tubers as compared to the resistant selections in which no
hypertrophies were observed during the three years. Of the 74 cultivars
tested in 1982, 26 of them did not show a'ny visual symptom of potato smut in
stems, stolons or tubers. Of the 26 resistant ones, ten were discarded because
of their poor agronomic characteristics and the lack of virus-free seed f0r
further tests. The remaining 16 cultivars or clones were retested in 1983
together with 65 new accessions (Table 1). Results obtained from the 1983
trials showed that 35 accessions were resistant, of which 11 were retests, and
24 tested for the first time. However, only 13 accessions were resistant and
therefore retested in 1984 together with 40 new accessions giving a total of 53
cultivar and ciones tested. The results obtained from the 1984 trial indicated
1986) SHORT COMMUNICATION 561

TABLE 1. -- Total number of cu]tt'vars and clones tested, t'nfectedand free of

potato smut ( T h e c a p h o r a solani) in three years under fleld cond#ions at
Comas, Department of Junin (3100 m above sea level), Peru.

Year of Test
No. of cv. 1982 19.83 1984
of ciones new entry retested new entry retested
Total tested 74 65+ 161 40+ 13
Infected 48 39+ 7 31+ 9
Free 26 24+11 4+ 8
1Number of cv. or ciones for the first time plus number of cv. or ciones found resistant in
previous trial and retested again.

t h a t o n l y 12 accessions were resistant. F o u r of these selections b e l o n g e d to

t h e g r o u p tested for the first t i m e a n d 8 from the retested g r o u p . As s h o w n in
T a b l e 2, seven cultivars or ciones were resistant d u r i n g the t h r e e field trials
a n d t i r e were resistant in two trials. H o w e v e r , it is i m p o r t a n t to i n d i c a t e t h a t
t h e tire cultivars or ciones n e v e r showed s y m p t o m s of potato s m u t a n d t h a t
they were n o t tested f o r a t h i r d t i m e b e c a u s e of lack of clean seed. Also, ir is
i n t e r e s t i n g to note that of 271 plants of c u l t i v a r " H u a n c a y o " tested in 1983
o n l y o n e single p l a n t was o b s e r v e d w i t h small h y p e r t r o p h i e s . T h e resistance
of c u l t i v a r " M a r i v a " a n d " R e v o l u c i o n " reported by Z a c h m a n n a n d B a u m a n n

TABLE 2. - - List of cultivars and dones sho~ot'ng resistance to potato smut

( T h e c a p h o r a solani) in fleld t.'a/s at Comas, Department of Junt'n
(3100 m above sea level), Peru.

Year of Test
cv. or clone 1982 1983 1984
Cuzco R R R
Mariva R R R
Mi Peru R R R
Participacion R R R
Revolucion R R R
376181.5 R R R
6956.52 R R R
ASN 69. I R R N1
Rosita R R N
375587.2 R R N
376608.7 R R N
378243.5 N R R
Total Tested 74 65 + 162 40 + 132

INot enough tubers available fora retest.

2New introductions plus retests.
562 AMERICAN POTATO JOURNAL (Vol. 63

(9), and Campos (4) under irrigated desert conditions is also confirmed here
in the highlands. The potential use by farmers of some of the potato smut
resistant clones is greatly increased by the fact that some of these clones have
also good levels of late blight resistance and excellent yield and other
agronomic attributes, e.g., clones 376181.5 and 378143.5.
Studies have been planned to investigate in more detail the type of
resistance present in these cultivars. It is also important for breeding pro-
gratas to know of the existence of some sources of resistance to potato smut
and as well as to the National Potato Programs of the Lat American region
to know of the existence of excellent cultivars with high degrees of resistance
to potato smut.

Literature Cited
1. Baz de Segura, C. and A. Quevedo. 1955. The Andean disease of potato tubers in the
Peruvian coast atea. Plant Dis Reptr 39: 477.
2. Baz de Segura, C. 1969. The gangrene disease of potato in Peru. Plant Dis Reptr
44:257.
3. Baz de Segura, C. and R. del Carpio. 1974. Potato gangrene on the central Peruvian
coast. Rey Plant Pathol 45:641.
4. Campos, G.R. 1975. Prueba de resistencia a la "Gangrena de la papa" ( Thecaphoraso/aro)
en el valle de Ca en la campa 1974. Circ. 03-75-DEE Est Agric de Ca
(Peru).
5. Torres, H., E. French and L. Nielsen. 1970. Potato diseases in Peru (1965-1968). Plant
Dis Reptr 54:315-318.
6. Torres, H. 1979. Carb de la papa ( Thecaphorasolam"Bar.) en Banco de germplasma de
papa. Fitopatolog 14:15-22.
7. Torres, H. and Jan Henfling. 1984. Control qu del carb de la papa. ( Thecaphora
solant). Fitopatologia 19:1-7.
8. Untiveros, D. and T. Ames de L 1980. Sintomatolog det Carb de la Papa. Fitopatolog
15:67-72.
9. Zachmann, R. and D. Baumann. 1975. Thecaphoraso&ni on potatoes in Peru: Present
distribution and varietal resistance. Plant Dis Reptr 59:928-931.