Plant architecture as a tool to mitigate late blight: significant but variable contributions of erect, aerated potato canopies over six years of field trials

Abstract

To reduce reliance on pesticides in potato production, alternative partial control methods are needed, yet their efficacy and reliability are seldom quantified over multiple years. Canopy architecture is a potential lever against late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, a pathogen whose infection and development are highly driven by humidity and temperature. However, its practical value under field conditions in pure crop stands remains poorly documented. We compared two commercial potato cultivars with contrasting canopy architectures but similar leaf tissue susceptibility to P. infestans, in replicated field trials conducted over six years (2011 2016) under irrigation, and over three of these years also without irrigation. Disease and canopy development (height, closure, leaf area, stem number) were monitored throughout the growing seasons and analysed using non linear growth models. Monalisa, an erect and ramose cultivar, consistently slowed epidemic progress relative to Bintje, a semi-erect and leafy cultivar. This effect was significant in every non irrigated trial but in only half of the irrigated ones. No single canopy trait explained this suppression across all years and conditions. However, canopy closure at the time of inoculation was the most consistent correlate, supporting the hypothesis of a microclimate mediated effect. Disease reduction seldom translated into a yield benefit, except under irrigation, where Monalisa occasionally out yielded Bintje. Our results confirm that canopy architecture can complement other levers within integrated late blight management. Nevertheless, its significant year to year variability and dependence on environmental conditions must be accounted for if it is to be deployed as a reliable control method.