New Markers for Potato Late Blight Resistance and Susceptibility Using FTIR Spectroscopy

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the 3rd most important crop worldwide, and Phytophthora infestans is the most devastating pathogen to potato crops. In this study, it has identified markers for resistance and susceptibility to late blight using potato genotypes that differ in their resistance/susceptibility to Phytophthora infestans. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, many absorbance bands have been identified as specific to resistant potato plants, and others were specific to susceptible potato plants. For each case (resistance/susceptibility), three bands were identified: 941-1180 cm-1, 1336-1483 cm-1, and 1483-1703 cm-1 and 1056-1294 cm-1, 1442-1585 cm-1, and 1585-1832 cm-1, respectively. As it is a simple, rapid, and inexpensive technology, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy offers an excellent opportunity for studying potato resistance/susceptibility to late blight.