Comparative evaluation of long-term storage techniques on viability and virulence of Alternaria solani

The study was conducted to test the viability and pathogenicity of different forms of Alternaria solani inoculum stored at different conditions and time intervals for a period of 16 months. The aim was to confirm the survival period of pathogen in soil and to determine the simplest method to maintain inoculum in laboratory for further studies. The cultures stored at 5 °C for 2, 4, 8 and 16 months were pathogenic, while cultures stored at room temperature turned non-pathogenic after 4 months. All 6 successive sub-cultures retained viability and virulence. All the target-spots stored at 5 °C were viable after all time intervals as tested by culturing and subsequent spray of harvested mycelial suspension, but at the room temperature (RT), 16 months old inoculum lost viability and virulence. The powdered tissue samples of target-spots stored at 5 °C were found pathogenic by spray method after all the intervals of the time but, at RT 16 month old sample lost virulence. In inoculation by soil splashing, powdered tissue stored in paper bag at 5 °C retained pathogenicity till 8 months, while at RT, the inoculum stored in paper bags and the inoculum mixed in soil lost pathogenicity after 4 months.