The effectiveness of plant extracts on the germination of zoosporangia of the pathogen of potato cancer

Abstract

Goal. To determine the effect of extracts of substances of plant origin on the germination of zoosporangia of the potato cancer pathogen Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Perc. for their use in the practice of limiting the spread of a quarantine organism. Methods. Laboratory (laying laboratory experiments to study the effectiveness of plant extracts against the causative agent of potato cancer), field (studying the effectiveness of plant extracts against the causative agent of the disease in the field), phytopathological (detection and identification of viable zoosporangia of the causative agent of cancer before and after the introduction of extracts). The efficacy of the plant extracts was determined according to the Pesticide Test and Application Method. Study results were processed using the Statistica 6 program. Laboratory experiments were carried out in 2024–2025 in the laboratory of quarantine pests and diseases of the Ukrainian Science-Research Station of Plant Quarantine of the Institute of Plant Protection of NAAS; field experiments were carried out in the Zakarpattia (Transcarpathian) Plant Quarantine Center of the Ukrainian Science-Research Station of Plant Quarantine of the Institute of Plant Protection of NAAS (vil. Maidan, Khust district, Zakarpattia oblast) on a variety Poliska rozheva of potatoes susceptible to cancer. Results. According to laboratory and field studies, the effectiveness of peppermint, celandine, and walnut extracts on the germination of zoosporangia of the cancer pathogen ranged from 11.7 to 38.2%. There was a decrease in the germination of zoosporangia from 46.3 to 28.6 pieces/g of soil. Concerning the effectiveness of the peppermint infusion on the germination of zoosporangia of the cancer pathogen, it was established that the dose of 200–400 l/ha decreased the number of viable zoosporangia of the cancer pathogen from 46.3 to 32.0 (11.7–30.9%). During the study of the effect of celandine extract (in a dose of 200–400 l/ha), the number of germinated zoosporangia of the cancer pathogen decreased to 28.6 (15.6–38.2%). When using an extract of walnut leaves (in a dose of 200–400 l/ha), the number of zoosporangia decreased to 29.8 (14.7–35.6%). Conclusions. According to the results of laboratory and field studies, it was established that the effectiveness of extracts of peppermint, celandine, and walnut on the germination of zoosporangia of the causative agent of potato cancer varied in the range of 11.7–38.2%. To combat the causative agent of the disease as an alternative to the chemical method, they suggest using these environmentally friendly substances. Such a measure of control of the causative agent of potato cancer may be recommended for use in the foci of the disease to limit the spread of the pathogen.