Methodology for assessing the level of biological risk of occurrence and spread of infectious and parasitic potato diseases based on pathogenicity and resistance parameters in the host organism

The study presents a quantitative assessment of the biological risk level of occurrence and spread of infectious and parasitic potato diseases based on the parameters of pathogenicity and resistance in the host organism. The research team conducted a score-rating analysis of infection threats to potatoes caused by bacterial, viral, helminthic, and fungal pathogens that pose a danger in terms of significant crop losses and deterioration of tuber quality. Of particular interest are species that exhibit high pathogenicity and resistance in relation to the host organism’s immune system. The proposed methodology provides for regular monitoring and updating of information on the emergence of new mutational forms that adapt to host immune defense mechanisms and increase the pathogenicity of infectious and parasitic potato diseases. This assessment methodology can be applied in the development of integrated plant protection systems, breeding programs for resistant potato varieties, and the creation of multifactorial models of the development, progression, and spread of potato diseases, with the ability to forecast the probabilities of epiphytotics of varying scales. The analysis showed that viral complexes and fungi pose the greatest threat to seed material. Viral complexes are particularly dangerous due to their relatively low pathogenicity and the presence of masking mechanisms that allow them to remain latent within the host organism. Pathogens of fungal etiology generally reproduce by spores, which are highly resistant to the plant immune system, enabling fungi to successfully colonize the plant organism. The obtained results may help improve the effectiveness of adaptive phytosanitary control measures, taking into account local agroclimatic conditions and the level of existing epiphytotic threats.