Black Scurf (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) Disease Incidence in Red and White Skinned Potato Varieties

Present study was carried out at the Department of Plant Pathology, Narain College, Shikohabad, Uttar Pradesh during 2016-17. Red and white skinned potato varieties have been screened for black scurf disease incidence. Significant differences for black scurf disease incidence in red and white skinned potato varieties was observed. Red skinned varieties had less occurrence of disease (17.47%) compared to white skinned varieties (24.36%). The maximum disease index was noted in Kufri Bahar (25.11%). However, it was minimum in Kufri Sindhuri (16.38%). Red skinned varieties had significantly higher (42.31%) tubers with less than 5 per cent infected area compared to white skinned varieties (28.65%). Results of the present study indicated that red skinned potato varieties are less susceptible to black scurf disease than white skinned varieties. Furthermore, tubers having more infected surface area by black scurf disease was higher in white skinned potato varieties than red skinned ones. Findings of the present study is highly useful for selection of potato varieties for commercial cultivation.