Tsror, L., Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Experiment Station, M.P. Negev, 85280, Israel
Nachmias, A., Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Experiment Station, M.P. Negev, 85280, Israel
Erlich, O., Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Experiment Station, M.P. Negev, 85280, Israel
Aharon, M., Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Experiment Station, M.P. Negev, 85280, Israel
Pérombelon, M.C.M., Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, Invergowrie, UK, United Kingdom
Tsror, L., Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Experiment Station M.P., Negev, 85280, Israel
Nachmias, A., Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Experiment Station M.P., Negev, 85280, Israel
Erlich, O., Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Experiment Station M.P., Negev, 85280, Israel
Aharon, M., Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Experiment Station M.P., Negev, 85280, Israel
Pérombelon, M.C.M., Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, United Kingdom

Potato seed tubers are imported annually to Israel from northern Europe. Although the seed is registered as certified, a survey carried out over a 9-year period indicated that most lots were affected by latent or active bacterial and fungal infections. Latent infection by Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica, the causal agent of blackleg, at a level of 103 cells/g peel, was present in 30% of the lots in most years. Black scurf caused by Rhizoctonia solani was present in 20–70% of the imported lots, with a moderate to high level of infection in all years except 1985. In contrast, although many lots were affected by powdery scab, common scab, and Fusarium dry rot in most years, disease incidence within lots was generally low. The gangrene pathogen (Phoma exigua) was rarely detected. The survey findings are of marked importance, due to the extensive use of soil fumigation in Israeli agriculture. © 1993, Springer Science + Business Media B.V.. All rights reserved.