Effect of biorational and selective insecticides on transmission of <i>Candidatus</i> Liberibacter solanacearum to potato plants

Abstract

Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) which is the putative causative agent of zebra chip an important disease of potato Laboratory bioassays using potted potato plants and CLsopositive TPP were conducted to assess the potential of biorational and selective insecticides to disrupt CLso transmission The first assay tested eight products with TPP introduced to plants 24 h after insecticide application and sprayed off after 24 h The second assay further tested five products and assessed systemic activity with TPP introduced 24 72 or 168 h after product application Stolon samples were collected and analysed for presence of the CLso gene using qPCR Results have shown potential for biorational and selective insecticides to reduce the quantity of CLso transmitted to plants with varying efficiencies and although none completely inhibited CLso transmission there is scope for these products to be included in crop management strategies