The rapid evolution of populations of the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans in Europe stresses the importance of monitoring of population change and the characterisation of novel and invasive genotypes. Continued sample collection by the industry and researchers has demonstrated the rapid spread of new lineages (EU_37_A2 , EU_36_A2, EU41_A2, EU_43_A1 and EU_46_A1). The former has reduced sensitivity to fluazinam and resistance to the CAA and OSBPI groups has been reported in the latter two lineages. This has once again focussed attention on the ability of the pathogen to evolve in response to management practices and emphasises the need for monitoring and strategic fungicide use.
This year the project aims to collect 1500 late blight samples from the main potato growing regions in Europe. We wish to capture as much genotypic variation as possible by sampling late blight outbreaks from across the continent. Samples are analysed using standardised 12 plex Euroblight SSR genotyping. The results will provide insight in the international, national and regional structures of the P. infestans EU population through e.g. the proportion (and dynamics) of the different currently known clonal lineages and unique ‘Other’ genotypes in the population.
Download the sampling protocol as pdf
Download the Excel sheet for entering the Pasport data of samples. Please use the acronyms as specified in the file
Write a country, location name or postal code (e.g. 8830 DK) into Google maps
PC: Find the sample location and drop a pin. Right-click to show the latitude and longitude and select it to copy to the clipboard before dropping into the Excel sheet.
SmartPhone: find location on map and hold finger down on spot until the decimal format latitude and longitude appear and add this to the Excel sheet.
Note: four decimal places are sufficient and be alert to negative values.
All data are stored, managed, analysed and visualized via the Potato Late Blight Toolbox.