Streptomyces scabies
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Potato scab is a bacterial disease that affects potato tubers.
The disease manifests itself in the form of superficial, more or less suberised lesions on the tubers, sometimes sinking in in the form of craters. It has little effect on the aerial parts of the plant (leaves, stems). This disease is present in all potato-growing regions. It causes tubers to lose their value and become unmarketable. It also attacks other cultivated plants, notably sugar beet, carrots, turnips, etc.
Common scab is caused by bacteria of the Streptomyces genus, mainly Streptomyces scabiei, Streptomyces europaescabiei, Streptomyces stelliscabiei, Streptomyces acidiscabiei, Streptomyces aureofaciens, Streptomyces turgidiscabiei and Streptomyces reticulosacbiei.
belonging to the Actinomycetes group, which infect tubers by penetrating lenticels or wounds.
The main way to combat this disease is to choose varieties that are not very susceptible, and avoid liming, which encourages these bacteria to multiply. Moisture inhibits the development of common scab.()
