Brandt highlights copper treatment to eliminate Pectobacterium carotovorum in potatoes

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

The Bacterium Pectobacterium Carotovorum, better known for its genus Erwinia, stands out as one of the main challenges for potato crops in Brazil. 

“This bacteria is characterized by the production of enzymes that degrade the cell wall of plants, causing tissues to collapse, which gives the affected tubers and branches a softened and often malodorous aspect,” explained Lucas Manfrin, market development technician BRANDT do Brasil.

“This disease is present in all producing regions whenever favorable conditions occur – heat, humidity and injuries to the plant caused by winds, rain or even equipment,” he said.

BRANDT presented in Brazil the Smart System technology “of absorption and translocation of nutrients via xylem and phloem”. The highlight about the Smart Copper product, according to the manufacturer, is that it has an “adequate concentration of copper complexed by technology, which stabilizes 100% of the copper in the bioactive form, enhancing the control of fungi and bacteria. It can be positioned in the planting groove, heaps, pre-heaps or leaves,” stated the market development technician.

In addition to this bacterium, it is possible to come across other important pathogens in Brazil, and the adoption of control protocols and management is essential to avoid the establishment or increase of the inoculum of the disease. 

According to the Brazilian Potato Association (ABBA), one of the adopted approaches is the spraying of antibiotics, cupric fungicides and/or dithiocarbamates. However, this action has not resulted in a consistent reduction in the intensity of the disease in the culture.

According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Brazilian productivity has increased 28.1% in the last ten years, mainly due to the improvement of cultivation techniques employed by potato growers, the use of more productive cultivars and the seed quality.

“Therefore, it is very important to incorporate technologies and technological products that make it possible to increase productivity and quality in production systems, to guarantee the competitiveness and sustainability of the Brazilian potato chain,” Manfrin said in conclusion.