Necrotic diseases caused by viruses in Swedish potato tubers

Potato tuber necrosis in the form of spraing symptoms is caused by infection with Potato mop‐top virus (PMTV) or Tobacco rattle virus (TRV); spraing has become more important in the Swedish potato crop production. In this study, the presence in Sweden of three potato‐infecting viruses associated with necrotic symptoms in tubers was demonstrated: PMTV, TRV and Tobacco necrosis virus (TNV). This study shows that both PMTV and TRV are frequent in Swedish potato fields. PMTV was found in all Swedish counties, except the two most northern ones. TRV was present at several locations in southern and up to the central parts of Sweden. Both viruses were found further north than observed in earlier surveys. PMTV and TRV were analysed in tubers with spraing symptoms and it was not possible to decide visually if the symptoms were caused by either PMTV or TRV. Furthermore, a high occurrence of symptomless tuber infections was observed for several potato cultivars. A unique observation from this study was a mixed infection of both PMTV and TRV in tubers of cv. Berber, where no visual differences on symptom development were detectable for these tubers compared to single infections. During the survey, tubers of cv. Melody were found to display necrotic symptoms in the skin that are characteristic for the ABC disease. This suggested infection by TNV, which also could be confirmed.     

Reaction of potato cultivars to primary and secondary infection by potato mop-top furovirus and strategies for virus detection1

Potato cultivars in elite seed production in Finland were tested for susceptibility to primary and secondary infection by potato mop-top furovirus (PMTV) in field and pot experiments during 1987 and 1988. The tubers of all 22 cultivars tested became infected under favourable conditions in naturally infested soil, and most of them showed external and internal spraing symptoms when stored first at 18°C for 2 weeks and then 2 weeks at 8°C. The second incubation cycle increased the percentage of tubers manifesting symptoms and the halving of tubers also favoured symptom development. The cultivars most tolerant to primary infection were Pito, Hertha and Record, and the most susceptible were Sabina, Olympia, Saturna and Matilda. The same cultivars, excluding Saturna, were also the most susceptible to secondary infection, which decreased tuber yield up to 37%. The virus could be detected fairly reliably in soils by the bait-plant method, and in the tubers after a repeated cycle of incubation at 18 and 8°C. Electron microscopy and serological methods are useful in both virus detection and identification but they still have severe limitations.     

The importance of the infected seed tuber and soil inoculum in transmitting Potato mop‐top virus to potato plants

Potato mop‐top virus (PMTV), the cause of spraing in potato tubers, is transmitted by Spongospora subterranea, the cause of powdery scab, and by planting infected seed tubers. This study was undertaken to determine the relative importance of these sources of infection in seed potato production in Scotland. The transmission of PMTV from tested seed tubers to daughter plants was examined over 2 years and six cultivars. The development of foliar symptoms varied with year and cultivar. Infection of daughter tubers derived from PMTV‐infected seed tubers was more prevalent on plants affected by foliar symptoms than those without symptoms. The rate of transmission of PMTV from infected seed tubers to daughter tubers ranged from 18 to 54%. Transmission was affected by cultivar and by origin of seed tubers used for a cultivar, but not by a cultivar's sensitivity to PMTV infection. The incidence of PMTV in daughter tubers of cv. Cara grown from seed potatoes from one source (common origin) by more than 25 seed producers was examined over two successive generations. The incidence of PMTV in daughter tubers was not correlated with that in the seed tubers but appeared to be strongly associated with soil inoculum. The incidence of PMTV was correlated with powdery scab in those crops in which both were present. There was some evidence from soil tests conducted in 2006 using a tomato bait plant and real‐time RT‐PCR that planting PMTV‐infected seed potatoes could increase the risk of introducing the virus into land not infested by PMTV.     

Prevalence and distribution of Potato mop‐top virus in Scotland

This study was undertaken to determine the current occurrence in Scottish seed potato crops of Potato mop‐top virus (PMTV), which is transmitted by Spongospora subterranea and causes spraing (brown arcs and lines) in the flesh of potato tubers, rendering them unsaleable. In 2004, a stratified survey of four commonly grown cultivars was conducted, while in 2007 and 2008, only samples from powdery scab‐affected crops were collected. The incidence of crops in which infection by PMTV was present was 37·5% in the stratified survey in 2004, but was greater in surveys in which tubers with powdery scab were tested (47·2% in 2007 and 44·6% in 2008). Similarly, the frequency of crops with incidences of more than 10% tuber infection was lower (9·4%) in 2004 than in 2007 (25·4%) and in 2008 (26·2%). Significant differences in crop infection were found amongst the four major seed‐producing regions and the counties within these regions. The incidence of crop and tuber infection was least for class Pre‐basic seed potatoes and greatest for class Super Elite 3 and Elite seed potatoes. The results indicate that the prevalence of PMTV has not increased since surveys in the early 1970s.     

Effect of temperature on the transmission of Potato mop-top virus from seed tuber and by its vector, Spongospora subterranea

Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) causes disease in both the growing plant and tubers (spraing) of potato and is transmitted by the plasmodiophorid Spongospora subterranea , the cause of powdery scab. The effect of temperature during plant growth on the transmission of PMTV from infected seed tubers and from infested growing media was investigated in a series of glasshouse experiments. Symptoms developed on foliage of plants derived from infected seed tubers but none developed when PMTV was transmitted by S. subterranea in soil. The incidence of foliar symptoms was greatest on plants grown at 12°C, less at 16°C, few at 20°C and absent at 24°C. The transmission of PMTV from infected seed tubers was not significantly affected by temperatures between 12 and 24°C, but when the virus was transmitted by S. subterranea , minimal tuber infection occurred at 24°C and no differences were recorded at temperatures between 12 and 20°C. The incidence of powdery scab on tubers was greatest at 12 and 16°C and very low at 20 and 24°C. However, the incidence and severity of root galling caused by S. subterranea , was greatest at 20 and very low at 24°C. The incidence of powdery scab was greater on tubers of plants derived from infected seed tubers grown in a fluctuating temperature regime of 12 h at 20°C followed by 24 h at 12°C than on those grown at a constant 20°C, whereas the incidence of tuber infection by PMTV and spraing was similar for both regimes. This demonstrates that infection of roots can occur at a higher temperature than that for powdery scab on tubers and that this root infection can enable the transmission of PMTV into the potato plant.     

Factors affecting the development of disease symptoms in potatoes infected by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tobacco rattle virus</Emphasis>

Infection of potato plants with Tobacco rattle virus by its nematode vector can have different outcomes, including the development of spraing symptoms in progeny tubers. A novel syndrome described here comprises a generalized mottle in leaves on all stems, together with virtually total failure to produce daughter tubers. The outcome of infection depends partly on the potato genotype, but field trials with 15 varieties showed that the incidence and severity of spraing symptoms at three sites differed. There was no evidence that this was due to differences in virulence among the virus isolates at the sites, but it was probably the result of environmental differences that influenced the numbers and activity of the vector nematodes. At the most severely affected site, spraing symptoms were found in all varieties tested, except Record, including several that were not affected at the other two sites. Taking both severity and incidence of symptoms into account, the ranking of varieties was similar at each site. The incidence of spraing symptoms was greater in larger than in smaller tubers, and increased with later harvest dates, but did not increase when early harvested tubers were stored. Tobacco rattle viruswas detected in the roots of many of the weeds growing at one of the sites and in the roots of a few plants of the subsequent barley crop.     

Cultivation factors influencing spraing in potato-a statistical analysis

In an attempt to study the effects of cultivation factors on the incidence of spraing in potato, on the presence of tobacco rattle tobravirus (TRV) and potato mop-top furovirus (PMTV), and on the densities of trichodorid nematodes in field soils, a statistical analysis was conducted based on field records provided by a Swedish potato crisp industry. The factors studied were crop rotation, precipitation (irrigation inclusive), planting time, fertilization, plant-available P, K and B, soil texture and soil pH. The data were collected for 1979-1987, representing 50 farms (198 fields) in southern Sweden. A correlation was found between TRV infectivity in the autumn and planting time of the potato crop. Thus, late planting was correlated with lower frequency of TRV. By ANOVA test of 5 years of preceding crops, a possible spraing increase was indicated when numbers of potato or barley crops increased in the crop rotations. A possible spraing decrease was indicated when the share of wheat increased. High incidence of spraing, and high densities of trichodorid nematodes, were both correlated with low values of plant-available potassium, K_AL, in soil.     

Molecular and biological characterization of Potato mop‐top virus (PMTV,Pomovirus) isolates from the potato‐growing regions of Colombia

Potato mop‐top virus (PMTV) causes necrotic flecks inside and on tubers in temperate countries. In South America, these symptoms have not been observed, although the presence of the virus has been confirmed in the Andes and in Central America. To characterize PMTV isolates from the Andes, soil samples were taken from the main potato‐producing regions in Colombia and virus was recovered by planting Nicotiana benthamiana as bait plants. The complete genomes of five isolates were sequenced and three of the isolates were inoculated to four different indicator plants. Based on sequence comparisons, three types of RNA‐CP (RNA2) and RNA‐TGB (RNA3) were found. The isolates from the centre of the country (CO3 and CO4) were similar to isolates from Europe. The genomes of CO1, CO2 and CO5 differ from other PMTV isolates, placing them in a separate clade in phylogenetic trees. The three Colombian isolates (CO1, CO2 and CO5) only induced slightly different symptoms in the indicator plants. However, the isolate from the northwest of the country (CO1) induced stronger symptoms in N. benthamiana including severe stunting. A correlation between the genotype of the isolates and the symptoms they induced on indicator plants was not found.     

Mottle necrosis of sweet potato caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium scleroteichum</Emphasis> in Japan and varietal difference in susceptibility to the disease

Severe mottle necrosis (Shirogusare-byo in Japanese) was found on mature tubers of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Ibaraki Prefecture in October 2004. The causal organism was identified as Pythium scleroteichum hitherto unknown in Japan. Sweet potato cultivar Purple Sweet Lord was more susceptible than cultivars Beniazuma, Benimasari, Koukei-14, and Tamayutaka to the pathogen at 25°C, while this difference in the susceptibility was not clear at 15°C.     

Resistance of potato genotypes to common and netted scab-causing species of Streptomyces

Common and netted scabs are two disfiguring bacterial diseases of potato tubers, caused by various groups of Streptomyces species. Common scab, caused primarily by Streptomyces scabies and Streptomyces europaeiscabiei , is characterized by more or less deep pustules on the tuber surface, while symptoms of netted scab, caused mainly by Streptomyces reticuliscabiei , are superficial, corky alterations of the tuber periderm. Some isolates of S. europaeiscabiei are able to induce both common and netted scab symptoms, and therefore constitute a third pathogenicity group. Like most bacterial diseases, potato scabs would be best controlled by using resistant cultivars. Repeated experiments with soil artificially infested with isolates of three species representative of the three pathogenicity groups showed the level and stability of cultivar resistance, as well as the existence of a range of aggressiveness among different isolates. The distribution of scab severity indexes recorded on a collection of 16 potato cultivars and 27 breeding clones grown in soil infested with common scab-inducing isolates was continuous, suggesting isolate nonspecific quantitative resistance. Least susceptible cultivars were Nicola, BF15, Sirtéma, and Charlotte, while Urgenta, Désirée, Ondine and Bintje were very susceptible. The same genotypes proved either highly susceptible (e.g. cvs Bintje, Désirée or Carmine) or highly resistant (e.g. cvs Charlotte, Sirtéma, Monalisa, BF15 or Belle de Fontenay) to isolates forming netted scab symptoms, suggesting isolate-specific qualitative resistance. The ability was confirmed of some isolates of S. europaeiscabiei to induce one or the other type of symptoms depending on cultivar and soil temperature.     

Occurrence and survival of potato scab pathogens (Streptomyces species) on tuber lesions: quick diagnosis based on a PCR-based assay

A time-saving and cost-effective polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was developed for species-specific detection of the scab pathogens ( Streptomyces scabies and S. turgidiscabies ) prevalent in potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) in northern Scandinavia. Species specificity of primers was verified using a collection of previously characterized Streptomyces strains isolated from potato scab lesions in Finland and Sweden. A total of 1245 scab lesions was tested from potato cvs Matilda and Sabina grown in the field in two geographic regions of Finland in 2000 and 2001. Freshly harvested or stored potato tubers were incubated at room temperature (18–21°C) under humid conditions for a few days. Bacterial growth was collected from scab lesions for DNA isolation and PCR. The two scab pathogens were detected in the same potato fields, tubers and scab lesions. The relative incidence of S. scabies was high in freshly harvested tubers but was much lower than that of S. turgidiscabies following storage. Both pathogens were seed-transmitted in Matilda and Sabina after 24 weeks of storage at 4°C.     

Assessment of recent outbreaks of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dickeya</Emphasis> sp. (syn. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erwinia chrysanthemi</Emphasis>) slow wilt in potato crops in Israel

Suspected Dickeya sp. strains were obtained from potato plants and tubers collected from commercial plots. The disease was observed on crops of various cultivars grown from seed tubers imported from the Netherlands during the spring seasons of 2004–2006, with disease incidence of 2–30% (10% in average). In addition to typical wilting symptoms on the foliage, in cases of severe infection, progeny tubers were rotten in the soil. Six strains were characterised by biochemical, serological and PCR-amplification. All tests verified the strains as Dickeya sp. The rep-PCR and the biochemical assays showed that the strains isolated from blackleg diseased plants in Israel were very similar, if not identical to strains isolated from Dutch seed potatoes, suggesting that the infection in Israel originated from the Dutch seed. The strains were distantly related to D. dianthicola strains, typically found in potatoes in Western Europe, and were similar to biovar 3 D. dadanti or D. zeae. This is the first time that the presence of biovar 3 strains in potato in the Netherlands is described. One of the strains was used for pathogenicity assays on potato cvs Nicola and Mondial. Symptoms appeared 2 to 3 days after stem inoculation, and 7 to 10 days after soil inoculation. The control plants treated with water, or plants inoculated with Pectobacterium carotovorum, did not develop any symptoms with either method of inoculation. The identity of Dickeya sp. and P. carotovorum re-isolated from inoculated plants was confirmed by PCR and ELISA.     

Effects of systemic infections with Tobacco rattle virus on agronomic and quality traits of a range of potato cultivars

Infection of several commercially important potato cultivars with Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) can result in systemic infection with M-type virus, which persists through generations of vegetative propagation, although spraing symptoms in the tubers rarely develop. In field trials of nine such cultivars it was shown that TRV infection can delay plant emergence and retard subsequent growth, reduce tuber yield and mean tuber weight, increase tuber numbers and the proportion of small tubers, increase the incidence of growth cracks and misshapen tubers, diminish dry matter content, and exacerbate after-cooking blackening. Each cultivar was affected differently, showing different combinations and degrees of these effects. Virus concentration in leaf extracts from individual plants was also highly variable. These, and other potato cultivars similarly susceptible to TRV, are grown on large areas of UK and European potato land. The implications of growing such cultivars for the seed, ware and processing sectors of the potato industry are discussed.     

Detection of the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans in potato tubers

The root lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans parasitizes a wide range of economically important crops, including potato (Solanum tuberosum). Damage by P. penetrans impacts not only the potato yield but can also reduce the tuber quality. Detailed information on tuber infection by P. penetrans is scarce for most cultivars and molecular detection of nematodes from infected tubers is needed. The objective of this study was to assess tuber symptomatology due to P. penetrans infection in 10 potato cultivars and to provide an accurate molecular methodology for nematode detection using tuber peels. Sprouts of certified potato seed from cultivars Agata, Agria, Camel, Désirée, Dirosso, Kennebec, Laura, Picasso, Royata, and Stemster were planted in 2 L pots, and soil was inoculated with 4 P. penetrans/g of soil. Sixty days after inoculation, tubers were harvested, inspected for lesions, and the number of nematodes/g of potato peel assessed. Observations of tubers with symptoms showed the presence of P. penetrans in superficial layers of peels around the lenticels and injured necrotic tissue. Different nematode stages were detected in tubers of all inoculated cultivars, varying from 4 to 46 nematodes/g of potato peel. Species-specific primers showed suitable sensitivity and reproducibility for the detection of P. penetrans in tuber potato peel samples. The molecular detection of P. penetrans directly from tuber peels can facilitate routine nematode inspections of potato seed tubers or cull potatoes for nematode detection, and prevent further dissemination of this species.     

Distribution and fungicide sensitivity of Colletotrichum coccodes in French potato-producing areas

Black dot, caused by Colletotrichum coccodes , is of potential concern to potato production in France as part of the tuber-blemishing disease complex. The lack of information about the actual distribution of the pathogen in potato-producing areas led to a survey of the occurrence of the disease. Black dot symptoms were observed on roots, stems and/or tubers of the 82 potato cultivars examined in 1994. A baiting bioassay, using cuttings of potato cultivars Bintje and Urgenta, revealed the presence of the pathogen in all 37 soil samples tested, which had been collected throughout the main French potato growing areas. In vitro , growth of five C. coccodes isolates recovered from diseased potatoes grown in western and southern France was severely affected by imazalil, tolchlofos-methyl and, to a lesser extent, mancozeb and thiabendazole. Conversely, iprodione, flutolanil and pencycuron were ineffective in reducing the growth of these isolates. These data indicate that C. coccodes is widespread in French potato cropping areas, that currently popular cultivars are susceptible to the disease, and that at least some of the fungicides commonly applied to seed tubers are ineffective against the pathogen. A better diagnosis of the disease, but also the insensitivity of the pathogen to several chemicals frequently used on seed tubers for controlling black or silver scurfs, might thus provide explanations for the apparent increase in black dot occurrence in recent years.     

Effect of temperature on resistance to Potato virus Y in potato cultivars carrying the resistance gene Rychc

The effect of cultivation temperatures on the resistance reaction to three Potato virus Y strains (PVY^O, PVY^N and PVY^NTN) in potato cultivars carrying Ry_chc was examined. When potato plants carrying Ry_chc were cultivated at 22 °C, a few small necrotic spots developed on inoculated leaves by 5 days after mechanical inoculation (dpi), and systemic infection of a few symptomless plants was confirmed at 28 dpi by IC‐RT‐PCR. At 28 °C, distinct necrotic spots developed on inoculated leaves by 5 dpi, and systemic symptoms occasionally appeared at 28 dpi. Thus, high temperature weakens Ry_chc‐conferred resistance. However, the incidence of systemic infection and the titre of virus in resistant cultivars at 28 °C were lower than in a susceptible cultivar. In graft inoculation under high summer temperatures, some plants developed necrosis on the leaves and stem, but PVY was barely detected by RT‐PCR in leaves on potato carrying Ry_chc. When seedlings from progeny tubers of plants that were inoculated with PVY and grown in a greenhouse at >30 °C in the daytime were examined by ELISA and IC‐RT‐PCR, PVY was not detected in cultivars carrying Ry_chc. These results show that Ry_chc confers an extreme resistance to PVY strains occurring in Japan.     

Phosphite compounds reduce disease severity in potato seed tubers and foliage

Phosphites (Phi) are alkali metal salts of phosphorous acid, with the ability to protect plants against different pathogens. In this research, the effect of Phi applied to potato plants on severity of three important potato diseases in Argentina was assessed. Seed tubers and foliage of potato cvs Shepody and Kennebec were treated with Phi to assess effects on resistance against Phytophthora infestans, Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani. Protection resulting from Phi treatment in seed tubers was high against P. infestans, intermediate against F. solani, and low against R. solani. In addition, seed tubers treated with calcium or potassium phosphites (CaPhi and KPhi, respectively) at 1% of commercial product emerged earlier than untreated ones. When Phi were foliarly applied two or four times at different doses, high levels of protection against P. infestans were achieved in both cultivars. Higher protection was observed in Kennebec when CaPhi was applied, while in Shepody this was true for KPhi. Expression of β-1,3-glucanases was induced at different times after treatment but no correlation between β-1,3-glucanases expression and foliar protection level was found. On the other hand, Phi positive protection effects did not produce negative effects in plant growth. Leaves from CaPhi-treated plants showed a darker green colour than leaves from control plants; also an increase in Rubisco protein and a delay in crop senescence was observed.