Fungi, Syncahytrium endobioticum causes the wart disease of potato. It is prevalent in areas with cool moist climate.

1. Potato wart disease
Purusothaman, C.
III B. Sc., Microbiology
PG & Research Department of Biotechnology and
Microbiology
National College (Autonomous)
Tiruchirappalli- 620001, Tamil Nadu, India

2. Introduction
Syncahytrium endobioticum causes the wart
disease of potato
According to karling, it has a broad spectrum of
solonaceous sp. In its host range
The potato wart disease is widely distributed in
the potato growing regions in the world
It is prevalent in areas with cool moist climate

3. Syatematics
Kingdom-fungi
Division- Chytridiomycota
Class-Chytridiomycetes
Order-Synchytriales
Family-Synchytriales
Genus-Synchytrium
Binomial name – Synchytrium endobioticum

4. Distribution
 S. endobioticum originated in south America
 It was introduced from there into the UK and from
there to continental Europe in 1880s
 It has spread to a limited extend only in other parts of
the world
 In India it has been reported from the Darjeeling
district(west Bengal)

5. Symptoms
Aerial symptoms
 Aerial symptoms are not usually apparent. There may, however,
be a reduction in vigour.
 Warts can be found in severe attacks on the upper stem, leaf
and flower. Leaf stalks may develop hypertrophic 'wings'.
 Above-ground galls are green to brown, turning black at
maturity, and later decaying.

6. Subterranean symptoms
 Galls vary in shape but are mostly spherical, with
corrugated surfaces, and range from pea-size to fist-size <1
cm to >8 cm diam.).
 Below ground galls are white to brown, turning black as
they decay
 Tubers may be disfigured or completely replaced by galls.
Tuber galls may develop after harvest, in storage.

7. Diagnosis
 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR have been
developed to diagnose Synchytrium endobioticum

8. Prevention on control
 According to OEPP/EPPO (1990) specific quarantine requirement,
potatoes should derive from a stock free of S. endobioticum.
 Use a continuous "cover crop" to reduce movement of inoculum via
wind-blown soil.
 Amendment of infested soil with crushed crab shell (23% chitin) has
been found to suppress the disease in some situations.
 Steam sterilization of soil.
 Soil treatment – mercuric chloride and formalin
 New tolerant or resistant varieties (eg: Kufri Kanchar, Kufri sherpa,
Kufri jyothi).