Effect of leaf leachates of potato plants on germination of Phytophthora infestans sporangia and zoospores

Abstract

Leaf leachates of two cultivars of potato i.e. Kufri Chandramukhi (KCM) and Kufri Jyoti (KJ ) contain nine amino acids. Total sugar content of KCM and KJ leachates varied between 0.10 and 0.37 µg per sq. cm and 0.02 to 0.23 µg per sq. cm. respectively. The sugars exuded more by KCM. Total phenol content of KCM and KJ leachates varied between 1.00 to 2.0 µg per sq. cm and 1.05 to 3.16 µg per sq. cm respectively. The percentage germination of P. infestans sporangia in KCM and KJ cultivars was more in mature leaf leachates as compared to young leaves, moreover it was less in KJ cultivar as compared to KCM. The germ tube length of P. infestans zoospores in leaf leachates was inhibited in both the cultivars except in mature leaf leachate of 94 days old Ku fri Chandramukhi.