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. 2025 Apr 10;25(1):455.
doi: 10.1186/s12870-025-06506-w.

Pathogenicity of Streptomyces scabies and identification of tolerant potato cultivars for scab-prone regions

Salman Ghuffar  1 , Muhammad Sajjad Saeed  2 , Sadaf Anwaar  3 , Tauseef Anwar  4 , Huma Qureshi  5 , Ashraf M M Abdelbacki  6 , Wajid Zaman  7 , Ali M Sayed  8
Affiliations

Pathogenicity of Streptomyces scabies and identification of tolerant potato cultivars for scab-prone regions

Salman Ghuffar et al. BMC Plant Biol. .

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a crop of global significance, with significant production in Pakistan, Egypt, etc. it is quite vulnerable to Streptomyces scabies, which causes common scab., leading to substantial yield and economic losses. Conventional control methods, including soil pH adjustment and chemical treatments, are often inconsistent and expensive, necessitating the development of resistant cultivars. This study isolated and purified S. scabies from infected tubers using yeast malt extract agar (YMA). The isolates were confirmed as pathogenic through hypersensitivity tests on Nicotiana tabacum. Ten potato cultivars were screened for resistance under greenhouse conditions using soil inoculated with two virulent S. scabies strains (ENC-2 and AQAB-1). Scab incidence and severity were assessed using a standard scab index. The cultivars showed varying susceptibility levels to S. scabies. Cardinal and Sarpomira exhibited the least susceptibility with scab indices of 10.67 and 12.50, respectively, and disease incidences below 60%. In contrast, Bartina and Desiree were highly susceptible, with scab indices of 24.54 and 24.88 and incidences of 86% and 72.72%. Cardinal and Sarpomira demonstrated as potential least susceptible cultivars against common scab, making them suitable for cultivation in scab-prone regions. Further research should focus on breeding resistant cultivars and exploring integrated management strategies to mitigate common scab in diverse potato-growing environments.

Keywords: Biotic stress; Crop improvement; Disease incidence; Pathogenicity; Resistant cultivars.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: We all affirm that the manuscript reporting studies do not include any human participants, human data, or human tissue. Therefore, it is not relevant. Plant collection was conducted after obtaining the necessary permissions. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Study protocol must comply with relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation: Our study adheres to the applicable institutional, national, and international regulations and policies. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Samples were collected from progeny tubers after the pathogenicity test for isolation
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Results of the hypersensitivity test (HR) [labeled areas (A and B) demonstrate a positive HR response, as indicated by a significant collapse of tissue and confirmed necrosis 48 h after pathogen inoculation. In contrast, (C) (control) shows no visible symptoms of HR, confirming the absence of a hypersensitive response]
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A) KOH (Loop) Test showing no formation of loop/ slime threads (B) Catalase Test of the isolates showing formation of bubbles (C) Kovac’s oxidase Test showing no color change (D) API 20E Kit showing Result of two Strains (ENC-2 AQAB-1) of Streptomyces scabies
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Resistance variability among potato cultivars (in % scab incidence and scab index) screened against Streptomyces scabies
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References

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