Potato Virus Y

Potato Virus Y

Potato Virus Y (PVY) is a common pathogen of potato worldwide and can reduce yields from 10 to 80%. It has also been referred to as potato vein banding virus. Several strains of the virus exist and are denoted as common strains (PVY^O) with world wide distribution, necrotic strains (PVY^N) , occurring in Europe, Africa, South America and eastern Canada and Strain C (PVY^C) , which does not occur in North America. The virus has a broad host range that includes many solanaceous cultivars and weed species. It also affects members of the Chenopodiaceae and Leguminosae. However the most important reservoirs of the virus are potato tubers and volunteer potatoes. PVY is vectored in a nonpersistent manner by at least 30 species of aphids. Of these vectors, the most important are the green peach and buckthorn aphids. The virus can also be mechanically transmitted by seed cutting or plant to plant contact and injury when sap containing virus particles is exchanged. The most important means of surviving between seasons is as virus particles in tubers. Infection occurs when aphids acquire the virus from an infected plant and carry the virus to another, introducing it into the host as they feed.

Symptoms

Symptoms are quite variable depending on the host cultivar and virus strain. Those associated with PVY^O include tissue necrosis, mottling or yellowing, leaf drop and premature death may occur. Necrosis may occur on the veins or as spots or rings of the leaflets. When necrotic lesions form on the petioles, the leaves may dry up but cling to the vine or drop off leaving plants with a bushy top growth and lower stem devoid of foliage. Plants grown from infected tubers may show the same symptoms, as well as stunting, but they are less severe than those on plants infected with early current-season inoculum. Infected tubers show no symptoms in most cases. Occasionally light brown necrotic rings are visible on the skin. PVY^N produces milder forms of mottling on foliage but is still capable of reducing yield up to 30%. Tubers produced on infected plants appear normal. Symptoms produced by PVY^C are similar to those produced by PVY^O. The only variation is symptoms is a foliar stipple-streak symptom and occasional internal and external tuber necrosis that occurs on certain cultivars.

Plant Health Management

Use certified seed tubers free of the virus.

Use resistant cultivars (varieties)

Control volunteer potatoes and weeds.

Destroy cull piles.

Control aphid vectors with insecticides.

References

Banttari, E.E., Ellis, P.J., and S.M. P. Khurana.1993 Management of diseases caused by viruses and viruslike pathogens. Pages 127-133 in Rowe, R.C. ed. Potato health management. APS Press. St. Paul, MN.

Hooker, W.J. ed. 1981. Compendium of potato diseases. American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN. 125 pp.

University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 1986. Integrated pest management for potatoes in the western United States. ANR Publication 3316. 146 pp.

Useful Links

University of Oregon

University of Arizona

Highlighted Area

When PVY is found in combination with PVX in the same plant a diseases called rugose mosaic occurs.

Caveat

This description is presented for information only and no endorsement is intended for products listed, nor criticism meant for products not mentioned. Always consult the product label before purchasing and using any pesticide.

Material contained on the Links from the page are the responsibility of the linked page's author(s).

This page was drafted by: Jane Christensen, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Disease images were provided by: Dr. David Wysong, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The Electron Micrograph of the Potato Virus Y Virions is from the Rothamsted Experimental Station collection and is copyrighted by them. It is used here in accord with their release for educational purposes with our appreciation.

Questions, Comments, Complaints and Complements?

This page is authored and maintained by:
Dr. J.E. Partridge, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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