Evaluación de tres productos alternativos para el control de tizón tardío (Phytophthora infestans) en papa (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most destructive diseases of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) worldwide, and its management largely depends on the application of fungicides. However, currently the use of alternative products is becoming more important in agriculture. The objective of the research was to evaluate the effects of the application of three alternative products for the control of late blight on potato. The efficiency of the applications of three products (horsetail infusion, sulphocalcium broth and AgriDis) at doses of 30, 60 and 90 ml to potato plants in an already established crop was evaluated, making three applications during the crop. An effect of product and dosage on disease incidence was demonstrated, with horsetail infusion and calcium polysulfide solution being the most efficient, regardless of the dosage used, as they reduced disease incidence by 48 to 54%. In relation to severity, all products proved to be efficient in decreasing disease severity with values below the control treatment. Even though no significant differences were detected among the treatments, potato plants reached greater height when treated with horsetail infusion and AgriDis, both at a dosage of 60 ml, resulting in plant heights of 1.39 and 1.31 meters, respectively. Overall, the highest yield was obtained in plants treated with calcium polysulfide solution, with an average yield of 6.74 tn/ha, followed by plants treated with AgriDis, averaging a yield of 5.95 tn/ha, whereas plants treated with horsetail infusion yielded 39.6% less than the maximum yield. The use of alternative products demonstrated that these can be effective for controlling late blight in potatoes.