Potato pests in Indonesia: first report of Liriomyza huidobrensis
A Japanese paper presents the main pests and diseases which are found on potatoes in Indonesia, as a cooperative project is being set up between Japan and Indonesia for the production of pathogen-free seed potatoes. It is recalled that potato cultivation in Indonesia started with the colonial era of the Netherlands, in the elevated region near Jakarta. At present, the major production areas are the elevated regions near Bandung in West Java, Dien in Central Java, the highlands near Malang in East Java and Toba lake area in North Sumatra. These production areas are situated at altitudes between 1000 m to 2000 m. Potatoes are mainly produced for consumption as a high-value vegetable, but production for processing (potato crisps) is now increasing.
The most serious disease is potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) which can be highly destructive during the rainy season. Serious damage is also caused by dry rot (Fusarium sp.). Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum – EPPO A2 quarantine pest) is also widespread in potato fields. Viruses like potato leaf roll luteovirus and potato Y potyvirus are commonly observed. Potato X potexvirus and potato S carlavirus have occasionally been detected. The aphid vectors Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, and Aulacorthum solani are observed in potato fields throughout the year. Potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella, damages leaves in the field and tubers in storage, particularly during the dry season. Several thrips species occur on potatoes but the economically important one is Thrips palmi (EPPO A1 quarantine pest). In recent years, leafminers are causing increasing problems. The dominant leafminer species is Liriomyza huidobrensis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) which is a recent introduction. The first damage of L. huidobrensis were seen in July 1994 in the surroundings of Bandung in West Java. The EPPO Secretariat had no previous report of L. huidobrensis in Indonesia (although Liriomyza species were reported as new important pests at the 20th session of APPPC – see EPPO RS 97/177). Damage caused by root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita, M. hapla, M. javanica and M. arenaria) are also observed. Finally, the other minor pests and diseases found in Indonesia are the following: cutworms (Agrotis spp.), armyworms (Spodoptera spp.), soft rots (Erwinia carotovora), black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani), common scab (Steptomyces scabies), powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea) and early blight (Alternaria solani).
Sources
Katayama, K.; Teramoto, T. (1997) Seed potato production and control of insect pests and diseases in Indonesia.
Agrochemicals Japan, no. 70, 22-25.