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Suroj Ahammed* and Bejoysekhar Datta
Mycology and Plant Pathology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India, 741235.
Email:surojahammed4376@gmail.com
Received-01.02.2026, Revised-13.02.2026, Accepted-27.02.2026
Abstract: The world’s potato crop is seriously threatened by Fusarium species that cause potato dry rot (PDR) disease. The crop stand is impacted by this soil- and seed-borne diseases because the pathogens inhibit potato sprouts development and cause severe tuber rots. Dry rot is indicated by sunken, wrinkled brown to black tissue areas with concentric rings on tubers. The pathogens infect potato tubers through the wounds. Although soil contaminated with Fusarium spp. is also a source of inoculum, the seed tuber is thought to be the primary source of inoculum. The diversity of the globally recognised, PDR causing 18 Fusarium species varies depending on the climate and geographic location. The pathogens produce different mycotoxins and the mycotoxins associated with PDR possess a serious threat to human and animal health when entered body through consumption of toxin contaminated food. This review provides a comprehensive overview of potato dry rot disease, covering its symptoms and etiology, pathogen diversity, mycotoxins associated with the disease and the impact of mycotoxins on human and animal health. The information detailed herein aims to improve the understanding about the current status and the significance of potato dry rot disease.
Keywords: Fusarium diversity, Mycotoxin toxicity, Post harvest disease, Potato tuber rot
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