Survey on potato diseases in Lebanon
In Lebanon, potatoes are grown over 14,500 ha with a production of more than 265,000 tons per year. The two main production areas are located in the Bekaa plain (68% of total production) at altitudes of 900-1000 m, and in the Akkar coastal plain (19% of total production) in the north of the country. A survey was conducted in 1998-1999 in these 2 major potato-growing areas. A total of 789 samples was collected from 69 fields and tested, mainly for the presence of viruses but also for bacteria and fungi. Results showed that out of the 789 tested samples (ELISA), 372 samples were infected by one of more viruses. Potato Y potyvirus was the predominant virus, followed by Potato A potyvirus, Potato X potexvirus, Potato M carlavirus, Potato S carlavirus and Potato leaf roll luteovirus. During this study, all 109 samples tested (nucleic acid spot hybridization) for Potato spindle tuber pospiviroid (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) gave negative results. Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Synchytrium endobioticum (all EPPO A2 quarantine pests) were not detected.
Sources
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Abou-Jawdah, Y.; Sobh, H.; Saad, A. (2001) Incidence of potato virus diseases and their significance for a seed certification program in Lebanon.
Phytopathologia Mediterranea, 40(2), 113-118.
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