Abstract:
Potato late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans has become an economic disease in
the world and particularly in potato growing regions of Cameroon. Four improved (Pamina,
Sassy, Desiree, Diaman) and two local (Belo, Banso) cultivars of potatoes were screen in the
field and screen house in Regional College of Agriculture and Catholic University laboratory for
resistance to potatoes late blight disease (PLBD). These potatoes cultivars were planted on four
ridges per plot in the field in randomized complete block design with three replicate. These
cultivars were monitored for disease incidence and severity and data was collected. Potatoes
cultivars were planted in a screen house and inoculated with spore suspension of P. infestans of
2.5×104 spores / ml of distilled water to evaluate the resistance of the various potatoes cultivars.
Screen house and field screening showed significant varietal difference (P?0.05) in sensitivity to
the fungus. The improved and local cultivars of potatoes from field and screen house show
varying levels of resistance to (PLBD). All the improved potatoes cultivars (Pamina, Sassy,
Desiree and Diaman) were highly susceptible to (PLBD) compared to the local cultivars (Belo,
Banso) and improved cultivar Desiree that were susceptible. The highest mean disease severity
of (PLBD) of 5.0 % was recorded on cultivars, Pamina, Sassy and Diaman at 12 weeks after
planting. Diaman recorded the highest mean area of (PLBD) growth of 11.45 m2 in the screen
house experiment. The local and improved potatoes cultivars that were susceptible could be
planted in the field by farmer to reduced disease incidence and severity and increase productivity
of the crop.
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