Tuber and Bulb

INTEGRATED PEST AND MANAGEMENT CP3

TUBER

are enlarged structures in some plant species used as

storage organs for nutrients. They are used for the plant's
perennation (survival of the winter or dry months), to provide
energy and nutrients for regrowth during the next growing
season, and as a means of asexual reproduction
TUBER DIAGRAM
PARTS OF TUBER IN POTATO.

Sprouting tuber - growth stage 1. The onset of sprout growth

that follows dormancy termination is accompanied by substantial
increases in cell metabolism; sprouts appear from the eyes of the
primary tuber.
Dormant tuber - although dormancy is defined as the absence
of visible growth, dormant meristems are metabolically active. In
general, rates of many cellular processes such as respiration,
transcription, and translation are suppressed during dormancy.
PARTS OF TUBER IN POTATO

Tuber Cortex tissue between skin and a vascular ring.

Vascular ring contains cells that transport nutrients from the
above ground stems to the medulla.
Tuber Medulla represents the primary storage area for the
potato tuber.
Tuber Perimedulla is located between the vascular ring and
medulla.
BULB

structurally a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases that

function as food storage organs during dormancy. In gardening,
plants with other kinds of storage organ are also called
"ornamental bulbous plants" or just "bulbs
bulb is an underground, modified stem that develops in some
flowering plants. Its purpose is to store food and water for the
plant through a cold or dry season. Examples of bulbs include
the tulip, narcissus, crocus, onion, lily, and garlic.
BULB DIAGRAM
PARTS OF TULIP BULB
INSECTS AND DISEASES

Animal Pests. Animals pose the greatest threat to tulip bulbs. ...
Aphids. Sticky honeydew on tulip leaves and flowers indicates an
aphid infestation. ...
Slugs. Slugs and snails usually feed on the tulip's foliage. ...
Mites. The two main mite pests on tulips include the bulb mite
and the spider mite. ...
Caterpillars and Larvae.
INSECTS AND DISEASES
Blister beetles - Several species of slender, elongate beetles
up to 19 mm long; have prominent heads; bodies variously
colored but usually black, black with yellow margins, or black
and yellow striped; stringy black excrement on heavily infested
plants; foliage ragged; plants sometimes stunted

Colorado potato beetle - Yellowish-brown, oval, convex

beetle up to 14 mm long with 5 black longitudinal stripes on
each wing cover and several black spots on pronotum (area
behind the head); feeds on leaves and terminal growth

Flea beetles - Various species of tiny, darkly colored beetles

2.5 to 4.5 mm long; solid-color body or dark with pale yellow
stripe on each wing cover; tiny round holes in foliage.
INSECTS AND DISEASES
European corn borer - Cream to light pink caterpillar with reddish-brown to black head; body up to 26
mm long with several rows of dark spots; has 3 pairs of legs near head and 5 pairs of prolegs bores
into stem; tangled frass and silk near entrance hole; stem may break, plant may yellow or wilt readily

Potato tuberworm - Creamy white (young) or green to pink (mature) caterpillar up to 19 mm long with
dark brown head; 3 pairs of legs near head and 5 pairs of prolegs; mines in older lower leaves causing
grayish papery blotches; tunnels in exposed tubers or those close to soil surface, filling tunnels with
excrement; entrance holes usually near the eyes and surrounded by a pink coloration

Vegetable weevil and larva - Adult - dull grayish-brown weevil, about 6.4 mm long, with short, stout
snout and light V-shaped mark on wing covers; larva - pale green, legless, up to 10 mm long, with dark
mottled head; both feed at night making large open holes in surface of potatoes. Feeds primarily at
night on underground plant parts, but sometimes consumes buds and foliage

White grubs - Several species of creamy white grubs with a distinct brown head capsule, three pairs
of legs near the head, and slightly enlarged abdomen; body C-shaped and up to 50 mm long; sever
roots and stems of potatoes; leave large, shallow circular holes in tubers
INSECTS AND DISEASES

Common scab is often characterized by a corkiness of the tuber

periderm, but symptoms are extremely variable.
Rhizoctonia solani, fungus this fungus is a common soil
inhabitant and tuber colonizer, most easily identified by the small
black sclerotia (black scurf stage) on the tuber surface.
Spongospora subterranea, fungus immature lesions occur on the
tuber surface and are white and wartlike, then gradually become
darker.