Dominant UK Phytophthora infestans genotypes (EU6, EU36 and EU37) were tested for sensitivity to seven fungicide active ingredients (2019–22). EU37 isolates were insensitive to fluazinam; no insensitivity to other fungicides was found.

Abstract

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a serious disease of potatoes worldwide and is predominantly controlled by repeated prophylactic use of fungicides throughout the growing season. Effective blight management and integrated pest management strategies rely on knowledge of the efficacy of available fungicides to control contemporary genotypes of P. infestans. Between 2019 and 2022, representative isolates of the newer dominant genotypes EU36, EU37 and the older dominant genotype EU6 were sampled from GB crops and tested for sensitivity to seven commonly used fungicide active ingredients (cyazofamid, fluopicolide, mandipropamid, propamocarb, oxathiapiprolin, amisulbrom and mancozeb) used preventatively in detached leaf tests and zoospore motility assays where appropriate. Dose–response curves based on lesion area (mm²) were constructed, and EC₅₀ values calculated. Isolates of P. infestans genotype EU37 were insensitive to fluazinam as previously reported. No insensitivity, or progression towards resistance over time, to any of the other fungicides was observed in any isolates of the genotypes tested, and EC₅₀ values were generally in line with previous testing. Zoospore motility tests with fluopicolide revealed significantly higher MIC values for isolates of genotype EU36 compared with EU37 and EU6, which, whilst not indicative of resistance at the low concentrations of active ingredient tested, may be a factor contributing to the overall dominance of that genotype in the wider population of P. infestans. The evidence suggests that the fungicides tested, with the exception of fluazinam and EU37, are effective for the control of P. infestans genotypes dominant in the GB population up until 2022.