Study of Phytophthora infestans Mont. de Bary isolates in the planting of potatoes

Relevance. One of the most common diseases of potatoes and other nightshade family species is late blight caused by a pathogenic oomycete of the Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary. At least 100 species of phytophthora have been described in nature, affecting a wide range of plant species. The phytophthora population is heterogeneous and is represented by races, as well as different types of mating. This leads to a rapid adaptation of the pathogen and the emergence of new, more aggressive, and resistant races. Phytophthora is a parasite, the damage from which cannot be avoided within the organic farming framework. Therefore, it is particularly important to know the pathogenesis and racial composition of phytophthora in each individual region of Solanaceae cultivation.Research methodology. Differentiation and collection of material from the natural population were carried out using potato varieties with known R-genes in the genome. Isolation and introduction into the culture were carried out from leaves with the dampening chambers method, followed by cultivation on nutrient media. The pathogen was identified by microscopic analysis. Culture filtrates were obtained on the liquid nutritious medium, followed by liquid filtration and autoclaving. Phytotoxic activity was determined by the effect on the seedlings of the nightshade, grass, and pea families by the standard method. Molecular genetic analysis of the isolates was carried out by ISSR analysis; the primer, amplification mixture, and temperature profile of the reaction were selected according to the literature data; the calculation of genetic characteristics was carried out using POPGENE software packages.Results. Samples of seven Phytophthora infestans isolates were collected and introduced into culture. As a result of in vitro cultivation, morphological differences were revealed, expressed in the structure and color of the mycelium, the shape of the colonies, the nature of sporulation, the color of the reverse, and the medium under the colonies. The genetic differences of the natural phytophthora material introduced into the culture, collected from potato varieties with single resistance genes (R1, R3, R4), were revealed. Differences in the phytotoxic activity of the studied isolates' cultural filtrates were revealed. The isolated isolates demonstrate differentiation at the phenotypic, genetic and physiological levels, which allows us to speak about their belonging to races.