IDM STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING POTATO CROP DISEASES IN KEY REGIONS OF UTTAR PRADESH

Solanum tuberosum L., or potato, is one of the world's most important staple crops, and India ranks at the second position in the list after China. At the state level, Uttar Pradesh is on the first position with 15,812.62 thousand metric tons during 2018-19. Potato crop from the region is, however, severely affected by soil-and-tuber-borne diseases and pests. IDM is one of the major approaches taken for the protection of potato crops in Uttar Pradesh that would balance disease control with sustainability and reduced chemical dependency. IDM integrates cultural, biological, physical, and chemical strategies, encompassing crop rotation, intercropping, and the use of disease-free seed strains. It includes beneficial microorganisms like Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas spp. and the group of bacteria are the most potent in controlling pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, which maintains healthy soils and reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides. A critical review is done by including IDM practices such as the early warning system along with judicious use of fungicides to avoid yield loss. Initiatives of the Government, programs for training of farmers and implementation of advanced technologies, including drone monitoring, with regard to their role in improving the effectiveness of IDM. IDM enhances not only productivity and quality of potatoes but also enhances sustainability of livelihood and environment. Taken together, it offers one avenue through which safe and healthy potatoes can be produced in the agricultural sector of the state of Uttar Pradesh as a way to promote food security.