Potato scientists from across US potato growing regions will team-up in search of management solutions for black DOT tuber blemish and foliar disease caused by the fungal pathogen colletotrichum…

Potato scientists from across US potato growing regions will team-up in search of management solutions for black DOT tuber blemish and foliar disease caused by the fungal pathogen colletotrichum coccodes. Recently, growers have expressed grave concerns about the ability to produce quality potatoes for the fresh market due to black DOT tuber blemish. Likewise, growers producing potatoes destined for the processing market have voiced concerns over the contribution of c. Coccodes to the early DIE complex. A small number of scientists have started to engage with a group of potato growers who started a 'black DOT initiative' in the fall of 2023. C. Coccodes has long been considered by some as a minor pest, or secondary saprophyte of potatoes. As was recently outlined in a review paper (sanzo-miro ET AL 2023), potato black DOT is a foliar and tuber blemish disease that has become an increasingly economic problem in recent years. However, as grower concerns increase there is a dearth of new research being published. Our goal for the initial phase of the black DOT initiative is to obtain a specialty crop research initiative planning grant. Funds from the planning grant will allow US to bring together pathologists, breeders, extension professionals, growers, and other stakeholders to prepare a cohesive research and extension plan towards reducing economic losses to black DOT. While the black DOT initiative is a fantastic start to unifying the efforts of researchers and growers to combat black DOT, funding is needed to produce effective field and storage management options for growers in a meaningful timeframe.