Identification of Inoculum Sources and Management of Soft Rot Disease of Potato caused by Dickeya and Pectobacterium

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

May 2, 2016 2016-2017, Integrated Research & Extension Projects, MFAC Grants, Potatoes

The pathogenic bacteria Dickeya spp. and Pectobacterium spp. cause soft rot on tubers or blackleg on stems of potato, resulting tuber loss in storage and no emergence of seedlings in the field. The 2015 outbreak of blackleg originated in Maine, and has caused severe consequences to potato growers in the state, especially to the seed growers. The infected tubers spread to the potato production regions wherever the Maine seeds were shipped. The economic losses were huge. To study the disease, a critical pathway is to identify the sources where the pathogen resides, survives and spreads. In this proposed study, we will conduct a series of surveys and trials to determine the major source of pathogen inoculum; develop a molecular technique using polymerase chain reaction; and test some potato varieties on their resistance to blackleg. The outcome will directly benefit Maine potato industry by providing disease detecting methods and management strategies to the growers, and the findings will be posted via the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.

Investigators: Jianjun Hao and Steven B. Johnson

Award period: 5/1/2016–9/1/2017