POTATO VIRUS Y
One of the most prevalent and important viruses while growing potatoes is Potato Virus Y (PVY).
The virus can be acquired from the infected plant within seconds, and transmitted to a healthy plant just as fast.
Often potato virus Y is transmitted mechanically by machinery, tools, and damaging plants while walking through the field. Aphids are by far the most efficient means of transmission.
Tubers mostly show no symptoms, however some potato varieties under certain conditions may exhibit tuber necrosis.
The leaves of potato plants infected by virus Y become brittle and dry, while remaining attached to the plant. It can also produce a distorting mosaic (crinkle), often located on a stem or part of the plant.
Management and control of potato virus Y
To use of insecticides is generally not effective as potato virus Y is a nonresistant virus and is transmitted quickly by aphids.
The best strategy to control potato virus Y is to use seed potatoes certified to have low virus content. For reduce spread by aphids mineral oils can be used.
Try to minimize mechanical spread by sanitizing equipment and reducing traffic through the field.
Infected plants can serve as a source of inoculum for the rest of the field, so rogue (pull out and dispose of) symptomatic plants.
Avoid planting potatoes next to weedy ditches and hedgerows, and practice good weed control within the field.
For growing potatoes choose varieties with some resistance or tolerance to potato virus Y are Eva, Dark Red Norland, Belrus, HiLite Russet, Kennebec, Monona, Norwis, and Sebago.
