Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is susceptible to several devastating fungal pathogens.
Distinguishing between these diseases requires identifying their unique symptomatic expressions and specific taxonomic causal organisms.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each pathogen listed in the options:
- Alternaria solani: This deuteromycete fungus is the causal agent of Early Blight of potato.
The disease is characterized by the formation of concentric, dark brown to black spots on older leaves, producing a diagnostic "target board" or "bull's eye" pattern.
- Phytophthora infestans: This oomycete is the causal organism of Late Blight of potato, which is historically famous for causing the Irish Potato Famine.
It causes water-soaked lesions on leaves that rapidly turn black under humid conditions.
- Rhizoctonia solani: This soil-borne fungus causes Black Scurf and collar rot of potato, forming black sclerotial masses on the tuber surfaces.
- Synchytrium endobioticum: An obligate biotrophic fungus that causes Potato Wart disease, resulting in cauliflower-like tumorous growths on the tubers.
Therefore, Alternaria solani is the correct causal organism for early blight.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The causal organism of early blight of potato is Alternaria solani.