Speaker: Carmen Castillo Carrillo

Potato purple top: a threat to food security, solanaceous diversity and economy in South America.

Carmen Castillo Carrillo

Potato purple top in Ecuador has more than 10 years affecting potato and other solanaceous crops such as tomato, pepper, tamarillo and golden berry. In 2021 this phytosanitary problem was reported in the south of Colombia and in the north of Peru causing alarm to the region. Potato is a staple crop for the inhabitants in the highlands of the Andes and this region is the origin of more than 5000 potato varieties and other Solanaceae species, and it is an important item for the economy since more than 17 million tons are produced per year in South America. Potato planted area is decreasing in Ecuador and secondary pests and diseases are arising, together with the increase of pesticide use and adverse environmental impact. Research has been based in nine main and basic points. Diagnosis of the pathogens and vectors involved, search for resistant genes in germplasm, transmission, rational use of pesticides and the use of biorationals, population and life table studies of Bactericera cockerelli, diagnostic of natural enemies and impact studies, together with technology transfer and training. So far, potato purple top complex in Ecuador is composed by presence of Ca. Liberibacter solanacearum and its vector the potato/tomato psyllid B. cockerelli, and several phytoplasmas identified in plant and psyllid samples. Vectors of phytoplasmas are still unknown but the presence of B. cockerelli is the most abundant in the fields.