EFFECTS OF SOIL DISINFECTION AND POTATO HARVESTING METHODS ON STEM INFECTION BY RHIZOCTONIA-SOLANI KUHN IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR

A two year field experiment was conducted twice to assess effects of c hemical soil disinfection at planting and methods of harvesting potato es on stem infection with Rhizoctonia solani in the subsequent year. I n the first year of the experiments seven methods, including one with soil disinfection at planting, were applied in August. In the followin g year, X. solani stem and stolen infection (disease severity) on pota to plants were assessed in June. Soil treatment at planting with pency curon resulted in lowest disease severity in the following year. Compa red with chemical haulm killing and haulm pulling, immature-crop-harve sting also resulted in a lower disease severity, but only when black s curf was scarce on tubers at harvest in the preceding year.