About Pathogen Monitoring

Monitoring Phytophthora infestans in Europe

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 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 and EU_43_A1). The former also has reduced sensitivity to fluazinam which has once again focussed attention on the ability of the population to evolve in response to 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

Download the sampling protocol as pdf

Download

Download the sampling form

Download the Excel sheet for entering the Pasport data of samples. Please use the acronyms as specified in the file

Download

Find latitude and longitude on PC and SmartPhone

Use this tool developed by AU, to:

  • Write and country, location name or postal code (e.g. 8830 DK) and the map center for this location

  • Find zoom and click with the mouse on Google Maps and see coordinates for the site you selected

  • Convert from Decimal degrees to Latitude / Longitude

  • Enter a coordinate set and see the given location on the map maps

Potato Late Blight Toolbox

All data are stored, managed, analysed and visualized via the Potato Late Blight Toolbox.