Changes in sensitivity to metalaxyl of Phytopilthora infestans in Korea

Changes of control efficacy of metalaxyl to potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans were examined in potato fields from 2001 to 2003. In 2001 and 2002, control efficacy of metalaxyl was similar to those of dimethomorph and ethaboxam. However, the control efficacy of metalaxyl were decreased to 50.3％ in 2003. Total 366 isolates of P infestans obtained from several areas in Korea from 2001 to 2003 were examined for changes of sensitivity to metalaxyl. About 6.8％ of fungal isolates examined in 2001 were sensitive, 84.1％ were intermediate resistant, 9.1％ were resistant to metalaxyl. Among the isolates collected in 2002, 3.9％ were sensitive, 75.6％ were intermediate resistant, 20.6％ were resistant to the chemical. However, among the isolates obtained in 2003, 55.9％ were intermediate resistant, 44.1％ were resistant, but none of the isolates tested were sensitive. Both A1 and A2 mating type isolate were isolated in 2002∼2003. However, all isolates collected in 2001 were A1 mating type. About 87.5％ of the isolates collected in 2002, 89.8％ In 2003 were determined as A1 mating type. The majority of the p. infestans isolates were A1 mating types. Changes of control efficacy of metalaxyl to potato late blight might be caused by the occurrence rate of moderately resistant isolates within A1 mating type.