Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, wireworms and white grubs are important pests of potato that are challenging to manage. This study evaluated three endemic entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernema carpocapsae 'NY01', S. feltiae 'NY04', and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora 'Oswego') as biocontrol agents against L. decemlineata, wireworms and white grubs in New York. The efficacy of individual EPN species and their combinations on L. decemlineata larval mortality was assessed via soil-based bioassays in the laboratory. Additionally, L. decemlineata survival and percentage of tubers damaged by wireworms and white grubs were evaluated in field trials in which combinations of pairs of EPN species were applied to the soil at least one month prior to initiating the experiment. Results from bioassays indicated that among the three EPN species, L. decemlineata late instars were most susceptible to H. bacteriophora 'Oswego'. Additionally, larval mortality was generally higher (14% on average) using pairs of EPN species compared to single species. Soil applications of pairs of EPN species prior to potato planting did not affect L. decemlineata adult survival either during the summer or following spring. However, tuber damage caused by wireworms and white grubs was reduced by 40% using a combination of H. bacteriophora 'Oswego' and S. feltiae 'NY04'. Overall, EPNs applied in soil have potential as biocontrol agents for soil-dwelling pests like wireworms and white grubs in potato, and their efficacy also may extend beyond a single cropping season, but do not seem to be an effective tool for L. decemlineata management in potato.

Using chemical fertilizers in agriculture increases production and improves the quality of the product; however, their higher usage globally has brought forth damage to ecosystems. Using biofertilizers is a better strategy to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and ultimately increase soil fertility. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize bacteria from the soil rhizosphere of medicinal plants ( Rumex tuberosus L. and Verbascum sp.) for in vivo screening. Nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, HCN, ammonia levels, Lipase, protease, catalase and siderophore production biochemical tests were also conducted. The two isolates that gave positive results from the biochemical tests were chosen out of 25 for further experiments. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing analysis the isolated organisms were identified as Alcaligenes faecalis Go1 (Accession No. OP001725) and Bacillus subtilis T11 (Accession No. OP218376). The compound fertilizer NPK was used as the positive control for field experiments, while selected stains were individually and in-combination were tested on potato crops as inoculum, over two successive cropping seasons. Plant height, number of tubers per plant, chlorophyll content, and tuber weight all increased for both isolated bacterial strains. The quality of the potato tubers was checked through visual observation for the presence or absence of disease symptoms. The treated tubers exhibited excellent quality, remaining free from any signs of disease, however, the control tubers showed infections with ( Streptomyces scabiei, Fusarium sp ., F. solani and Erwinia amylovora). The soil analyzed after harvesting both bacteria increased percentages of P, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, SO4, total nitrogen content and total organic matter. The findings showed that the tested bacterial isolates could replace the use of chemical fertilizers in the production of potatoes.

With the intensifying global warming trend, extreme heat and drought are becoming more frequent, seriously impacting potato yield and quality. To maintain sustainable potato production, it is necessary to breed new potato varieties that are adaptable to environmental changes and tolerant to adversity. Despite its importance, there is a significant gap in research focused on the potential mechanisms of potato resistance to abiotic stresses like drought and high temperatures. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent research available in academic databases according to subject keywords about potato drought tolerance and high temperature tolerance with a view to providing an important theoretical basis for the study of potato stress mechanism and the selection and breeding of potato varieties with drought and high-temperature resistance. The suitable relative soil moisture content for potato growth and development is 55% to 85%, and the suitable temperature is 15 degrees C to 25 degrees C. The growth and development of potato plants under drought and high-temperature stress conditions are inhibited, and plant morphology is altered, which affects the process of potato stolon formation, tuberization and expansion, ultimately leading to a significant reduction in potato tuber yields and a remarkable degradation of the market grade of tubers, the specific gravity of tubers, and the processing quality of tubers. In addition, stress also adversely affects potato physiological and biochemical characteristics, such as reduction in root diameter and leaf area, decrease in net photosynthetic rate of leaves, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increase in membrane lipid peroxidation. In addition, various types of genes and transcription factors are involved in the response to drought and heat at the molecular level in potato. This paper illustrates the effects of stress on potato growth and development and the molecular mechanisms of potato response to adversity in detail, which is intended to reduce the damage caused by drought and high temperature to potato in the context of global warming and frequent occurrence of extreme weather to ensure potato yield and quality and to further safeguard food security.

Among climate-change related effects, drought, heat, and waterlogging are the most important adversely affecting the production of potatoes in Europe. As climate change progresses, agricultural practices must adapt to maintain potato yields. This study is based on a European-wide survey. It presents potato growers' perception of climate change, its impact, and possible adaptation strategies, focusing on the results from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Potato growers strongly agreed that climate change had affected their potato production in the last ten years, as indicated by 98% of German and more than 90% of Swiss and Austrian respondents. Drought caused the most severe impact, and to varying extents damage was caused by heat and the occurrence of pests and pathogens. The most preferred adaptation measure was the planting of adapted varieties. In line with the comparably low access to at least partial irrigation that Austrian potato growers reported, Austria appeared to be the country most affected by drought. Other more pronounced challenges were late spring frost, flash floods, and soil erosion. The study highlights and discusses specific differences between the countries, as well as between conventional and organic potato production based on the Austrian responses. The results underline that to successfully develop effective climate change mitigation strategies, country-specific and local challenges and needs should be considered.

Due to its positive effects, mulching with organic matter is a popular soil conservation tool. However, opinions are divided on the effects of mulching on pests and pathogens. Our research aimed to investigate the effect of organic mulch on potato tuber damage caused by soil-dwelling pests and soil-borne pathogens. Therefore, mulching trials were carried out at four sites over six years, comparing the effects of straw, walnut leaves, mixed leaves, compost and two sowing methods (in soil, on soil surface, and under mulch). The total yield of the mulched plots was equal (2013, 2014) or significantly higher (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) than the control, while the weight of damaged tubers did not increase. Total yield was higher in plots mulched with compost, walnut leaves and mixed leaves than in control and straw-mulched plots. The seeding method had no effect on yield or tuber damage for any of the cover crops. Mulching potatoes with organic matter, especially compost and leaves, is recommended, as their application positively affected yield but did not increase the number of damaged tubers. Sowing potatoes under mulch can reduce the digging work and cutting damage without reducing the yield.