Scientists from the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy have identified a new type of bacteria that causes potato diseases such as black leg and soft rot of tubers. This was reported to aif.ru by the press service Ministry of Education and Science.

Black leg (dieback of the root part of the stems) causes soft rot of tubers, which leads to significant crop losses during cultivation and storage. This is one of the most dangerous potato diseases.

The staff of the Department of Plant Protection of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K. A. Timiryazev conducted a study of pathogens that cause infection. As a result, a new species of bacteria from the genus Pectobacterium was isolated and described for the first time in Russia.

Three strains of this bacterium were isolated from potato tubers with symptoms of soft rot; infected plants were found in the Kemerovo and Moscow regions.

Scientists used next-generation sequencing technology (evaluation of the genome sequence) and biochemical tests.

The results of the study can be used to promptly identify the disease and prevent its spread in regions where potatoes are grown.