A recent study published in the Potato Virus Initiative Newsletter 2024 by researchers from the University of Idaho, including Kasia M. Duellman, Melinda A. Lent, Cong Liu, Lindsey F. McKinney, and Erik J. Wenninger, has identified critical periods during the potato growing season when the transmission of Potato Virus Y (PVY) is most likely to occur.
This research offers valuable insights for seed potato growers seeking to mitigate the impacts of this damaging virus, which poses significant challenges to potato production.
Study Overview
Conducted over two growing seasons in 2021 and 2022, the research focused on planting ‘Russet Burbank’ potatoes in one-row plots covered with aphid-proof mesh at different intervals. The aim was to determine when PVY transmission was most significant, utilizing natural sources of inoculum.
The study involved multiple treatment scenarios, including continuous exposure to aphids and various timings for excluding aphids based on the onset of age-related resistance in the potato plants.
Key Findings
The study’s findings underscore the effectiveness of excluding aphids for the majority of the growing season in significantly reducing the incidence of PVY in daughter tubers. Treatments that prevented aphid access from before emergence until critical growth stages—such as mechanical vine flailing, tuber bulking, or chemical vine desiccation—exhibited the lowest post-harvest incidences of PVY.
In stark contrast, plots without aphid exclusion showed a substantially higher incidence of the virus in tubers, illustrating the importance of timely intervention.
Insights on Age-Related Resistance
While age-related resistance begins to develop around four weeks after full emergence, the study indicated that its role in effectively managing PVY in field settings may be limited. This suggests that protective measures against PVY should extend at least until the tuber bulking stage.
The findings emphasize the necessity for early intervention in disease management strategies, reinforcing the critical need for growers to be proactive in their pest control measures throughout the growing season.
Implications for Management Strategies
The researchers pointed out that understanding the dynamics of PVY transmission is essential for developing effective management practices.
“These results support recommendations for PVY mitigation efforts to extend at least to the onset of tuber bulking,” stated Kasia M. Duellman, emphasizing the relevance of these findings for seed potato producers.
The study also noted significant variation in PVY incidence between the years studied, with disease pressure being notably higher in 2021 than in 2022. Such fluctuations highlight the unpredictable nature of PVY transmission and the importance of ongoing monitoring and adaptability in management approaches.
Future Research Directions
Looking ahead, the research team plans to further investigate the timing of aphid transmission later in the growing season. Their ongoing work at the Aberdeen research facility will focus on how exposure to aphids at different times affects PVY incidence as the season progresses. This future research aims to refine management strategies and provide more targeted recommendations for growers.
As Potato Virus Y continues to pose challenges to seed potato producers, this research serves as a crucial resource, providing actionable insights into effective management practices that can help reduce the risk of infection and enhance overall crop health and yield.
Source: Potato Virus Initiative Newsletter 2024
Image: Aphid-proof mesh was used to exclude aphids at different times during the growing season to identify when PVY is transmitted during the growing season in Idaho. This information may help determine when to initiate and terminate mineral oil applications. Photo credit: E.J. Wenninger
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