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This map displays areas of the greatest concentrations of potato cultivation in Bangladesh, based on data reported for selected districts by the Government of Bangladesh, Bureau of Statistics, for 2000-2001.

The appearance of discreet clusters separated by blank space might reflect a practice of reporting only those districts where at least 1,000 hectares of potato are being cultivated (the lowest figure reported for any district). If that is the case, these data might underestimate total cultivation and production by omitting areas of lesser concentration.

Total area of cultivation, approximately 244,000 hectares, is consistent with data reported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for those years. From this period until 2004, area of potato cultivation reported by FAO has increased to more than 270,000 hectares, while national average yields have also increased, from about 12 tons per hectare (T/HA) to about 14.5 T/HA. Both factors have contributed to an increase in national production, estimated at about 3 million metric tons in 2000-2001, and nearly 4 million tons in 2004.

For further information on Potato Production click here 

1. Overall disease situation

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is the most important disease of potato in Bangladesh and it is considered to be the major limiting factor to increasing potato production. It occurs every year with varying intensities. The disease appears wherever potato is grown, but is more severe in northern and eastern part of the country. It was very severe in the northern parts of the country in the last season (2003-2004) (Dinajpur, Rangpur, Bogra, Rajshahi). In the other parts of the country LB came in the later part of the season and became severe also. The average disease incidence was 25%.

Both potato and tomato are affected. The disease source is mainly seed tubers and the disease is airborne during the season.

2. Crop losses

Late blight pathogen affects leaves, stems and tubers. The disease appears on the leaves as pale green irregular spots that are mainly concentrated initially on the tips and margins of the leaves. Under humid conditions the spots enlarge rapidly with central tissue turning necrotic. White powdery growth of the fungus is also visible on the lower side of the leaves. Light brown lesions develop on stems and petioles that elongate and enlarge often encircling the affected region. Under congenial conditions, the whole plant may be killed and blackened. The tubers show brown to purple discoloration of the skin followed by a brownish dry rot that extends to about half an inch below the surface. Yield loss due to LB in the last season (2003-2004) was 30%, recorded in the variety Chamak.

Former reported yield losses due to the disease were estimated as 30.11% and 22.97% during 1991-92 and 1993-94, respectively. The disease can be devastating at 120 – 250 C with 85 – 90% relative humidity.

3. Fungicide use (amounts, types, etc.)

A lot of fungicides were recommended for late blight disease control. Of them, Dithane M-45, Copper oxychloride, Manex-II, Edcozeb, Penncozeb, Homai 80 wp, Nemespore, Indofil, Antracol, Polyram Combi, Phytox, Metaril, Ridomil Gold, Coromil, Vitamyl MZ, Galben M, Ridomil Mz-72 wp, Dimethomorph, etc. gave good disease control. The new fungicides namely, Melody Duo, Unilax, Amcozeb, Mencozeb have been recommended in 2002. The most commonly used fungicides are Dithane M-45, Ridomil-MZ, and Ridomil Gold. Around 500 tons of fungicides are being used each year in the country for controlling late blight disease. LB is the only disease where growers use fungicides intensively. However, more that 50% of the farmers do not use fungicides.

4. Other LB control measures (resistant cultivars, forecast systems, etc.)

New Late Blight resistant varieties/clones developed and released

Most of the cultivars are susceptible to LB. However, some new varieties, namely Raja, TPS-1 and TPS-2, Dheera, showed field tolerance. Some germplasm and TPS progenies and few CIP lines (CIP-607, CIP-272 and CIP-616) found tolerant to late blight.

Disease forecasting

Although there is no model developed for forecasting, farmers use many chemicals to control LB based on weather conditions.

Farmers are advised to spray their crops based on the weather forecast:

a) excessive humidity (above 80%)

b) night temperature below dew point at least for 4 hours or 10–20°C

c) day temperature 21–24°C

d) Clouds on the next day

e) rainfall of at lest 0.1 mm during the next 24 hours

Integrated crop management following seed-plot techniques and Farmers Field School (FFS) approaches improved late blight control. Seed plot techniques include the use of disease-free and certified seed, early planting and harvesting, application of fungicides before haulm pulling, haulm pulling 8–10 days before lifting, and proper sorting and grading of seed potatoes before cold storage. High ridging (about six inches) at the time of hilling up helps in reducing tuber infections.

5. Pathogen strains (fungicide resistance, mating type, virulence factors, etc)?

Metalaxyl resistance:

The existence of metalaxyl resistant strains of P. infestans was confirmed in 1995-96 by monitoring of isolates. This might be due to the indiscriminate use of metalaxyl (Ridomil) fungicide in potato crops throughout the country over several years. The existence of metalaxyl resistant strains in the country brings about the alarming possibility of more aggressive strain of P .infestans evolving.

Mating type

Only A1 mating type has been recorded. The existence of A2 mating type is yet to be determined in the country.

Physiological races

Twenty-one races of P .infestans. have been recorded in Bangladesh. The frequency of races differed greatly with a maximum occurrence by R2. The races were: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R10 ,R11, R1R2, R1R3, R1R4, R2R3, R2R4, R1R2R3 R1R2R4, R3R4, R2R3R4., R1R2R3R4 and R.

Molecular markers

Molecular markers have not yet been used to characterize the P. infestans populations.

Comparative aggressiveness of “ new” population vs.” old”

The “new” population is more aggressive than the “old” population.

Disease risks and/or major needs?

The development of facilities for basic research work on late blight is essential. The collection and evaluation of exotic germplasm for resistance to LB should be strengthened. Regional and International workshops, meetings, collaboration, exchange of materials and ideas, manpower development, etc. should be considered.

Any publications on late blight in the country?

The presence of late blight was first reported in Krishi Samachar, published in 1922. The occurrence of an epiphytotic in Dinajpur and Rangpur was reported in 1931–32. The bulletin Alour Marak considering the loss and intensity of the disease was published in 1932. Another bulletin Gol Alur Marak was published by the former Mycology and Plant Pathology Division of the Bangladesh Agricultural. Research Institute. Additional publications are listed below:

Alam, S.M.K.; M. Elias and M.R.U Miah. 1991. Efficacy of foliar fungicides in controlling late blight of potato. Bangladesh Journal of Plant Pathology 7 (1& 2): 21-22.

Ali, M.S. and T.K. Dey. 1999. Management of Late Blight in Potato in Bangladesh (poster abstract). pp. 111 in: Late Blight: A threat to global food security. Proceedings of the Global Initiative on Late Blight Conference, Quito, Ecuador, 16–19 March 1999. International Potato Center, Lima, Peru.

Ali, M.S;T.K. Dey and S.M. Elias. 1998. Potato late blight and bacterial wilt management (Booklet). TCRC, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh. (in Bengali).

Ali, M.S. and A.L. Khan. 1990. Pathological constraints of seed potato production in Bangladesh. pp- 187-199 in: Proceedings Seed Potato in Bangladesh, BADC. Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Ali, M.S., M.A. Bari and A.L. Khan. 1989. A Review of the fungal diseases of potato in Bangladesh. pp- 170-182 in: Proceedings 1st National Tuber Crops Workshop. TCRC, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Anonymous, 2002. Efficacy of foliar fungicides in controlling late blight of potato. pp 60-61in: Annual Report 2001-2002, TCRC, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Anonymous 1990. Comparative effectiveness of different fungicide in controlling late blight of potato. pp. 92-93 in: Annual Report 1989-90, TCRC, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Anonymous, 1990. Efficacy of foliar fungicide in controlling late blight of potato. pp.91-93 in: Annual Report 1988-89, TCRC, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Anonymous, 1986. Efficacy of foliar fungicides in controlling late blight of potato. pp.79-81 in: Annual Report 1985-86, . TCRC, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Anonymous, 1974. Studies on the efficacy of different foliar fungicides in controlling late blight of potato caused by Phytophthora infestans. in: Annual Report Division Mycology and Plant Pathology 1955-56, BARI, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Anonymous. 2001. GILB Linkage Groups, Southwest Asia pp 7–9 in: GILB Annual Report 2000. International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru.

Bari, M.A. 1990. Chemical control of late blight of potato. Bangladesh Journal of Plant Pathology 6: (1&2): 41.

Dey, T.K., M.S. Ali, M.A. Hoque and S. Ali. 1995. Efficacy of fungicides in controlling late blight of potato. Bangladesh Journal. Agricultural Research 20 (1): 62-66.

Fakir, G.A. 1985. List of potato disease occurring in Bangladesh (Lecture note). SAARC Regional training course on potato seed production, 7-26 January, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Fakir, G.A. and M.U. Ahmed, 1974. An epidemiological note on late blight of potato and tomato occurring in Mymensingh. Bangladesh Horticulture 1: 73-76.

Hoque , Imdadul. 2002. Genetic Engineering – Option for managing late blight of potato in Bangladesh (poster abstract). pp 147 in: Late blight: Managing the global threat. Proceedings of the Global Initiative on Late Blight Conference, Hamburg, Germany, 11–13 July 2002. International Potato Center, Lima, Peru.

Hossain M, Dey T K, Rahman M M , Ali M S. 2002. Studies on the late blight disease of potato in Bangladesh (poster abstract). pp 135 in: Late blight: Managing the global threat. Proceedings of the Global Initiative on Late Blight Conference, Hamburg, Germany, 11–13 July 2002. International Potato Center, Lima, Peru.

Hossain, M., A.D. Raymundo, U. Jayasinghe and N.B. Bajet. 1998. Effect of potato Y potyvirus (PVY) on development of late blight in selected potato genotypes. Bangladesh Journal Plant Pathology 14 (1&2): 17-20.

Hossain, M., O. S. Opina, U. Jayasinghe and N.B. Bajet. 1998. Effects of potato X potexvirus on the development of late blight in selected potato genotypes. Tropical Agricultural Research 10: 291-308.

Hossain, M.M., M.S. Ali and M.K. Uddin. 1990. Efficacy of foliar fungicides in controlling in late blight of potato. Bangladesh Journal Plant Pathology 6 (1 & 2):18

Hussain, M.M. 1989. Potato Growing Industry in Bangladesh. . pp. 1-36 in: Bangladesh-Netherlands Seed Multiplication Project (BNSMP) Report, BADC, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Kabir, M.H., M.H. Rashid, M.H. Ali and M.M. Rashid. 1991. Comparative efficacy of three fungicides for the control of late blight of potato. Bangladesh Horticulture 19 (2): 55-57.

Khan, A.L. and M.A. Bari. 1978. Present status of research on the problems of potato pathology. pp 46-51 in: Proceedings 1st Workshop of Potato Research Workers, PRC, BARI, Bangladesh.

Rashid M.M., A.L. Khan and M.S. Ali. 1985. Seed Potato Production. TCRC, BARI. Gazipur, Bangladesh. 156 pp. (in Bengali).

Taher, M.A. 1382 BS. Goul Alur Rog O Tar Protiker, Krishi katha. Newsletter, published by the Dept. of Agric. Extention, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (in Bengali).

Talukdar, M.J. 1967. Goul Alur Shatrue Rog Balai. Krishi katha, January, Booklet: 2, Newsletter, published by the Dept. of Agric. Extention, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (in Bengali).

Is tuber blight a problem?

Yes, it is. Tuber blight becomes a problem when potato crops suffer from rain along with late blight.

Contact: Mohammad Hossain, Principal Scientific Officer (Plant Pathology), Tuber Crops Research Centre (TCRC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh. Email: hossain60(at)bdonline.com or dtcrc(at)bdonline.com

Links to World Potato Atlas (WPA)

http://research.cip.cgiar.org/confluence/display/wpa/Bangladesh