Tuber damage by potato tuber moth, Phthorimae operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in the field in eastern Ethiopia

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

International Journal of Pest Management

Publication Date

4-1-2001

Abstract

The relative rates of tuber damage due to potato tuber moth were assessed in 30 different genotypes of potato grown at Alemaya, eastern Ethiopia. Field infestation in tubers ranged from 6% to 62% and significant differences were observed between genotypes in the degree of damage. Over 42% of the tubers were exposed to tuber moth infestation. Tuber infestation and rotting were found to be positively correlated with exposure. There was an overall increase by 93.2% in infestation and 96.3% in rotting in the exposed tubers over the covered ones. On average, 8.7% of the potato tubers were lost due to field infestation. Based on current potato prices, the average loss was estimated to be 321.75 US$/ha. To reduce field damage and further infestation in storage, therefore, minimization of practices that increase exposure of tubers is strongly recommended.

Keywords

Erwinia carrotovora, Ethiopia, Field damage, Phthorimae operculella, Potato

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