Potatoes require technologies to protect against bacteria and fungi

Potatoes are the fourth most consumed food in the world after milk, wheat and rice and feed more than 1 billion people on the planet every day, according to data from FAO/UN. Global production is estimated at 330 million tons. Of this total, only 1% is in Brazil (3,5 million/t/year) and Brazilians consume, on average, 16,5 kg/year, according to Conab. Despite being rustic, this tuber produced more than 7 thousand years ago faces development challenges, from the establishment of cultivation until the end of the cycle. Among the challenges, the bacterium Pectobacterium carotovorum, better known by its genus Erwinia, stands out as one of the main challenges. “These bacteria are characterized by the production of enzymes that degrade the plant cell wall, causing tissue collapse, which gives the affected tubers and branches a softened appearance and often a bad odor”, explains Lucas Manfrin, market development technician from Brandt do Brasil.

This bacterium requires specific temperature and humidity conditions for establishment, in addition to inocula remaining in the rhizosphere or even damaged seed potatoes with inocula established in tissue lesions. It occupies a prominent position among the crop's phytosanitary challenges and is known as black cinnamon in the stem and soft rot in the tuber. “This disease is present in all producing regions whenever favorable conditions occur – heat, humidity and injuries to the plant caused by wind, rain or even equipment”, explains Manfrin.

In addition to this bacteria, it is possible to come across other important pathogens, and it is essential to adopt control protocols and management to avoid the establishment or increase of the disease inoculum. According to the Brazilian Potato Association (ABBA), one of the practices adopted is the spraying of antibiotics, cupric fungicides and/or dithiocarbamates. However, this action has not demonstrated a consistent reduction in the intensity of the disease in the crop.

According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Brazilian productivity increased by 28,1% in the last ten years, mainly due to the improvement of cultivation techniques used by potato farmers, the use of more productive cultivars and the quality of seeds . “Therefore, it is very important to incorporate technologies and technological products that enable increased productivity and quality in production systems, aiming to guarantee the competitiveness and sustainability of the Brazilian potato chain”, highlights the Brandt do Brasil technician.

Brandt, specialized in plant physiology and nutrition, offers a modern and innovative strategy for Brazilian agriculture, aiming to improve physiological and nutritional balance to improve plant immunity against such pathogens. The company stands out for its Smart System technology, “modern technology for absorbing and translocating nutrients via xylem and phloem. Highlight is the Smart Cobre product, which has an adequate concentration of copper complexed by technology, which stabilizes 100% of the copper in bioactive form, enhancing the control of fungi and bacteria. It can be positioned in the planting furrow, hilling, pre-hilling or foliar”, explains Lucas Manfrin, market development technician at Brandt do Brasil.