EFFECTS OF SALINITY AND ITS INTERACTIONS WITH DISEASE INCIDENCE ON POTATOES GROWN IN HOT CLIMATES

The interaction of two diseases - Verticillium wilt, caused by Vertici llium dahliae, and early blight, caused by Alternaria solani - with sa linity was investigated. The use of a system of two overlapping overhe ad irrigation lines enabled results to be obtained under a continuous gradient of salinity. Three cultivars were investigated, namely, Cara, Desiree and Nicola. The results illustrate the increase in symptom ex pression of the two diseases, as well as in associated characters such as height and maturity, in the presence of salt. Differences existed between cultivars in their response to the diseases in the presence of varying levels of salt.