The development of mature plant resistance in four potato cultivars against aphid-inoculated potato virus YO and YN in four potato cultivars

Summary Field-grown potato plants of cvs King Edward, Record, Maris Piper and Désirée were inoculated on seven different dates during the growing season of 1987 and 1988 with either potato virus Y^O (PVY^O) or PVY^N, using three viruliferous peach-potato aphids (Myzus persicae) per plant. In each cultivar, the proportion of progeny tubers infected with PVY^O or PVY^N was high in plants inoculated during the four weeks following emergence, the proportion declining to zero or close to zero in the subsequent 4–6 wks.     

Use of jet injection to determine potato cultivar susceptibility to potato viruses A and Yc

Summary The use of a high pressure jet injector to inoculate virus rapidly was compared with graft inoculation to determine cultivar susceptibility to potato virus A (PVA) and potato virus Y^c (PVY^c). Tubers were injected with virus infected potato sap, plant reactions recorded, and virus recovered using a bioassay test and enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay. The injection method compared well with a traditional grafting procedure for PVY^c susceptibility tests but was unsuitable for testing susceptibility to PVA.     

New isolates of the necrotic strain of potato virus Y (PVYN) found recently in Poland

Summary In comparison to the previously known isolates of potato virus Y^N (PVY^N), some isolates found in Poland since 1984 are more infectious to potato plants, reach faster a higher concentration and induce milder disease symptoms. Potato cultivars resistant to the standard type of PVY_N may be susceptible to the new isolates whereas those that are extremely resistant to PVY remain extremely resistant to the new isolates. The potato cultivar Elipsa is suitable for the differentiation of PVY^N isolates.     

Soybean aphid,Aphis glycines Matsumura, a new vector ofPotato virus Y in potato

Soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura), an exotic species first discovered in the North Central region of the United States in 2000, is a competent vector of severalPotyviridae. Soybean aphid has high fecundity and produces alatae (winged morphs) readily, characteristics typical of proficient virus vectors. When soybean aphids were exposed toPotato virus Y (PVY)-infected potato plants and then clip-caged on healthy potato plants in groups of five or as single aphids, PVY transmission ranged from 14% to 75% across all experiments. PVY^o, PVYⁿ, and PVP^ntn strains were transmitted by soybean aphid.     

Detection of potato viruses A,M, S,X, Yand leafroll and potato spindle tuber viroid from tissue culture plantlets using single leaf discs

Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dotimmunobinding assay (DIBA) for potato viruses A (PVA), M (PVM), S (PVS), X (PVX), Y^N (PVY^N), Y^O (PVY^O) and leafroll (PLRV) and nucleic acid spot hybridization (NASH) for potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), virus and viroid were detected reliably from single leaf discs (6 mm) of tissue-culture plantlets. Leaf discs taken from leaf positions (1 to 8) (bottom to top) can be used for detection of all viruses except PLRV where the lower leaves had higher concentrations of virus than the leaves from the upper part of the plantlet. Virus cultures were maintained for 1 to 4 years in several potato cultivars. The levels of virus remained reproducible except for PVM concentration, which was found to be very low in cv. Green Mountain. Using densitometry software, the DIBA spots were quantified and results were comparable to A₄₀₅ values obtained by ELISA. PSTVd concentration as measured by densitometry from spots of NASH indicated no loss of viroid over 1–4 years in tissue culture in two potato cultivars.     

Inheritance of extreme resistance to potato virus Y in potato

Summary Segregation for extreme resistance to PVY was evaluated in progenies derived from crossing two extremely resistant potato clones with parents differing in resistance. Resistance was evaluated after mechanical inoculation with PVY^O and PVY^N, and after graft inoculation with PVY^O. Biological and serological tests (ELISA) were used for virus detection. The extreme resistance is governed by a single dominant gene, but observed segregations deviated from the expected ratios. Considerable modifying effects were detectable, depending on the potato genotype and virus isolate, for a significant excess of susceptible genotypes was observed in some progenies. Moreover, genotypes with non-parental types of resistance to PVY were observed.     

Population Growth of Myzus persicae on Potato Plants Infected with Different Strains and Variants of Potato virus Y

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most economically important viruses affecting the potato crop. Several strains of the virus, including PVY^O, PVY^N, recombinant isolates; PVY^N:O (PVY ^N-Wi) and PVY^NTN and several variants of PVY^O have been reported from North American potato-production areas. The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer, is a colonizer of potatoes and is considered the most important vector of PVY. The objective of this study was to measure the population growth of M. persicae on potato plants infected with different strains and genetic variants of PVY. The initial population of ten winged adults of M. persicae was allowed to develop on a potted plant for 12 days. Results clearly indicated that infections by different strains and genetic variants of PVY did not influence the population growth of M. persicae on potato plants during this period.     

General resistance against potato virus Y introduced into a commercial potato cultivar by genetic transformation with PVYN coat protein gene

Summary Transgenic cv. Folva potato plants expressing the coat protein gene of potato virus Y strain N (PVY^N) were produced usingAgrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. Forty independent transformants were selected for resistance screening. Four clones showed complete resistance to mechanical inoculation with all the five PVY isolates tested: the PVY^N isolate from which the coat protein gene was derived, two PVY^O isolates, and two PVY^NTN isolates. Two of the fully resistant clones contained only one copy of the transgene, demonstrating that it is possible by genetic engineering to obtain highly virus resistant potato clones that can also be useful in future breeding programmes.     

Virus translocation in two-stemmed potato plants

Summary Inoculation of one shoot ofBintje potato plants with potato virus X resulted in a very low rate of tuber-infection of those tubers produced by a second, non-inoculated shoot of the same plant. A similar experiment with potato virus Y^N resulted in a considerably higher rate of infection of the tubers produced by the non-inoculated shoot than was the case with potato virus X. The results indicate that virus translocation to tubers of non-inoculated shoots is possible, but not as readily as to those produced by the inoculated shoots themselves.

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Zusammenfassung Inokulation eines Triebes von Kartoffelpflanzen der SorteBintje mit Kartoffelvirus X 49 Tage nach dem Auspflanzen bewirkte nur sehr wenig Infektionen bei Knollen, die durch einen zweiten, nicht infizierten Trieb der gleichen Pflanze erzeugt wurden (Tabellen 1 und 3). Ein gleicher Versuch mit Kartoffelvirus Y^N (Inokulation 64 Tage nach dem Auspflanzen) zeigte im allgemeinen einen h?heren Anteil an Knolleninfektionen als im Versuch mit Kartoffelvirus X und eine betr?chtlich h?here Infektionsrate bei den Knollcn, die vom nicht infizierten Trieb hervorgebracht wurden (Tabellen 2 und 4). Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Viruseinwanderung in Knollen von nicht infizierten Trieben m?glich ist, aber nicht so leicht vor sich geht wie in Knollen, die von infizierten Trieben erzeugt wurden.

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Résumé L'inoculation d'une pousse de plantes de pomme de terreBintje avec le virus X. 49 jours après la plantation, n'infectait les tubercules produits par une seconde pousse, non inoculée, de la même plante que dans une très faible proportion (Tableaux 1 et 3). Dans une expérience semblable avec le virus Y^N, l'inoculation étant faite 64 jours après la plantation, le taux d'infection des tubercules en général était plus élevé dans l'expérience avec le virus X et le taux d'infection des tubercules produits par la pousse non-inoculée (Tableaux 2 et 4) était considérablement plus élevé. Les résultats indiquent que la translocation du virus aux tubercules des pousses noninoculées est possible, mais non aussi rapide qu'aux tubercules des pousses inoculées.

     

Census Report of the <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Potato Virus Y</Emphasis> (PVY) Population in Swiss Seed Potato Production in 2003 and 2008

The status of the Potato virus Y (PVY) in Swiss seed potato production was investigated in the years 2003 and 2008 by analysing 385 leaf samples of field-grown, suspicious potato plants collected in four representative seed control fields. Serological investigations by ELISA showed that in c. 84% of the PVY-positive samples in both years, viruses belonging to the PVY^N group were found. All 124 serologically positive PVY samples collected in 2003 and a selection of 81 isolates of 2008 were further typified by molecular tests and by biological assays on tobacco and potato plants. These tests largely confirmed the predominance of the PVY^N group and, within this group, the prevalence of recombinant PVY^NTN, with 81.4% and 70.4% in 2003 and 2008, respectively. The percentage of PVY^N-Wilga (PVY^N-Wi) increased from c. 6% to 17% between the two years. PVY^O was detected only in 10.5% and 4.9% of all molecularly analysed samples in 2003 and 2008, respectively. The persistent predominance of recombinant PVY^NTN in Swiss seed potatoes indicates that this strain group is now widespread, representing a considerable threat to Swiss seed potato production.     

Acquisition of potato leafroll virus byMyzus persicae from secondarily-infected potato plants of different genotypes

Summary The acquisition of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) byMyzus persicae nymphs from the top leaves of potato plants was studied throughout a growing season in relation to the antigen titre in those leaves and the feeding behaviour of the aphid. Secondarily-infected plants of eight potato genotypes with different levels of field resistance served as virus sources. Early in the growing season, plants were efficient sources for virus acquisition. The amount of viral antigen detected inM. persicae nymphs fed on the top leaves was strongly correlated with the titres of viral antigen in these leaves. Virus acquisition from the top leaves of older potato plants was markedly impaired and could not be correlated with their virus titre. With increasing age of the potato plants and the development of virus symptoms, the virus titre in the leaves declined and the initial weak correlation between the virus titre and field resistance ratings disappeared. Thus, screening secondarily-infected potato plants for field resistance to PLRV based on the concentration of viral antigen in leaves or in aphids fed on them should be avoided later in the growing season. The feeding rate ofM. persicae, measured by the number of honeydew droplets excreted, did not account for the reduced uptake of virus from older plants since it was not influenced by the age of the plant. Throughout the growing season, the feeding rate ofM. persicae nymphs on PLRV-infected plants was higher on genotypes with low levels of field resistance to PLRV than on genotypes with high ones.     

Resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato virus Y</Emphasis> in a Multitrait Potato Breeding Scheme without Direct Selection in Each Generation

In an experimental breeding scheme to improve late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and white potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) resistance of tetraploid potato over three generations of crossing and selection, 15 clones survived the final selection, and these were derived from 15 great-grandparents. There was no direct selection for resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY), but 14 out of the 15 great-grandparents were resistant to PVY and three had extreme resistance. Thirteen of the 15 descendants had PVY resistance and one extreme resistance. This was within the range expected for a random (unselected) sample from the genotypes of the great-grandparents. Hence, we found no evidence for any positive or negative association between PVY resistance and the attributes selected. The conclusion is that laborious selection is not required in every generation when many parents have PVY resistance, including some with more than one copy of a PVY resistance gene or resistance at more than one locus. However, in the future, determining the major virus resistance genes present in potential parents in each generation using diagnostic molecular markers would prevent susceptible × susceptible crosses being made and maximise the number of resistant × resistant ones.     

Cryotherapy of Potato Shoot Tips for Efficient Elimination of Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV) and Potato Virus Y (PVY)

Viral diseases constitute a major constraint to high yield and high quality production of potato. Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) and Potato virus Y (PVY) are among the most damaging potato viruses and are prevalent in most potato growing areas. In the present study, attempts were made to eliminate PLRV and PVY by three cryogenic protocols, i.e., encapsulation-dehydration, encapsulation-vitrification and droplet. Results showed that both PLRV and PVY could be efficiently eliminated by cryogenic treatments with 83–86% and 91–95% of frequencies of virus-free plantlets obtained for the former and latter, respectively. Frequencies of virus-free plantlets produced by cryogenic treatments were higher than those by meristem culture (56% for PLRV and 62% for PVY) and thermotherapy (50% for PLRV and 65% for PVY), and similar to those by thermotherapy followed by meristem culture (90% for PLRV and 93% for PVY). Survival (75–85%) and regrowth (83–89%) from cryo-treated shoot tips were higher than those from meristem culture (50–55%) and thermotherapy followed by meristem culture (40–50%), but similar to those from thermotherapy (80–87%). The morphology of the plantlets regenerated from cryo-treated shoot tips was similar to that of non-treated plantlets. Thus, cryotherapy would provide an alternative method for efficient elimination of potato viruses, and can be simultaneously used for long-term storage of potato germplasm and for production of virus-free plants.     

Protection against potato virus Y (PVY) in the field in potatoes transformed with the PVY P1 Gene

Lines of potato cv. Pito transformed with the P1 gene ofPotato virus Y (PVY^o) in sense or antisense orientation were evaluated for resistance to PVY in the field in 1997 and 1998. The transgenic resistance fully protected the crop from infection with PVY^o transmitted by aphids in both years. These plants were not resistant to the field isolates of the PVY^N strain group, which is in agreement with our greenhouse experiments. Consequently, several transgenic lines produced higher yields than the nontransgenic cv. Pito plants. These results showed that the P1 gene-mediated resistance provides significant benefits under conditions were the incidence of infections and damage by PVY^o are considerable.     

Biological factors influencing the transmission of potato leafroll virus by different aphid species

Summary Macrosiphum euphorbiae, collected in the field from potato plants infected with potato leafroll virus (PLRV), transmitted the virus to fewer potato plants in a field trial than did laboratory-rearedMyzus persicae. In the laboratory,M. persicae was the only efficient vector of PLRV fromPhysalis floridana seedlings, potato sprouts or excised leaves toP. floridana. Two clones ofM. euphorbiae and one clone ofAulacorthum solani transmitted PLRV from infected potato plants toNicotiana clevelandii as effeciently asM. persicae but a clone ofAphis gossypii was an inefficient PLRV vector. An isolate of PLRV, whichM. persicae transmitted inefficiently from potato toN. clevelandii, was also transmitted inefficiently byM. euphorbiae andA. solani.     

Optimization of a Chemiluminescent Dot-Blot Immunoassay for Detection of Potato Viruses

Vegetative propagation of potato leads to virus accumulation, resulting in significant yield losses and reduced quality. Virus identification is critical for developing disease management strategies and measuring seed lot health. The most widely used method of virus diagnosis in seed potatoes is a post-harvest test, for which the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is often used. ELISA was previously modified by substituting microtiter plates with membranes to develop a more flexible and inexpensive assay. We optimized a dot-blot immunoassay with viral proteins bound to a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane and detection of the proteins with alkaline phosphatase-labeled antibodies and a chemiluminescence reagent. The assay was tested for detection of viruses of seven genera. We have also altered the assay by spotting an antibody array onto a PVDF membrane and tested it for its potential uses as a diagnostic tool for Potato virus Y, Hosta virus X, and Potato leafroll virus.     

The infection pressure of potato virus Yo and the occurrence of winged aphids in potato fields in Sweden

Summary Water-filled yellow trays sited in a potato field were used to catch different species of winged aphids. The catches, enumerated weekly, were compared with the spread of potato virus Y^o (PVY^o), detected by bait plants of tobacco and potato, during the growing season for four years. The first detection of PVY^o, at about the same time as the first catch of winged aphids, varied from the middle of June to the middle of July in different years. In three of the four years,Rhopalosiphum padi was the dominant aphid in the beginning of the growing season and, presumably, it was responsible for the early spread of PVY^o in those years.Aphis spp. andMyzus persicae generally appeared later in the season and wingless aphids on the potato leaves were not common before the middle of July.

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Zusammenfassung Der Infektionsdruck durch das Kartoffel-Y^o-Virus (PVY^o) und das Auftreten geflügelter Blattl?use verschiedener Arten in Kartoffelfeldern wurde in den vier Jahren von 1978 bis 1981 untersucht (Tab. 1). Der Infektionsdruck wurde durch junge K?derpflanzen in Form von Tabak und Kartoffeln (Sorten Bintje und King Edward), welche w?chentlich der Virusinfektion im Feld ausgesetzt waren, gemessen. Die geflügelten Blattl?use wurden in gelben Wasserschalen (YWT) gefangen, ungeflügelte Blattl?use wurden an 60 zuf?llig ausgew?hlten Kartoffelbl?ttern ausgez?hlt. Die erste Entdeckung von PVY^o und der erste Fang geflügelter Blattl?use koinzidierten; dies erfolgte in den verschiedenen Jahren zu unterschiedlichen Zeiten von Mitte Juni bis Mitte Juli (Abb. 1).Rhopalosiphum padi war die dominierende Blattlaus am Anfang der Wachstumsperiode in drei von vier Jahren, in denen es vermutlich Ursache für die frühe Ausbreitung von PVY^o war.Aphis spp. undMyzus persicae erschienen in der Jahreszeit generell erst sp?ter. Ungeflügelte Blattl?use auf Kartoffelbl?ttern erschienen bis zur Mitte des Jahres nur selten.

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Résumé On étudie la pression d'infection du virus Y^o de la pomme de terre (PVY^o) en relation avec la présence dans un champ de pomme de terre de pucerons ailés de plusieurs espèces, dans le cadre d'un essai conduit durant 4 années entre 1978 et 1981 (tableau 1). La pression d'infection est déterminée au moyen de jeunes plantes de tabac et de pomme de terre (variétés King Edward et Bintje), qui sont exposés chaque semaine dans le champ à l'infection virale. Les pucerons ailés sont capturés dans un piège à bac jaune, et les pucerons aptères sont comptés directement sur 60 feuilles de pommes de terre, choisies au hasard. La première détection du PVY^o et la première capture de pucerons ailés co?ncident, ce qui a été observé à différentes époques de plusieurs années, de la mi-juin à la mi-juillet (fig. 1).Rhopalosiphum padi a été le puceron le plus abondant au commencement de la période de croissance, dans trois des quatre années où il fut présumé responsable de l'extension précoce du PVY^o.Aphis spp. etMyzus persicae apparaissent généralement plus tard dans la saison. Les pucerons aptères sur les feuilles de pomme de terre sont peu fréquents avant la mi-juillet.

     

Elimination of viruses and hypersensitivity to potato virus Y (PVYo) in an important sudanese potato stock (Zalinge)

Viruses that infect naturally an important Sudanese potato stock Zalinge were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunosorbent electron microscopy and sap-inoculation to test plants. All of the 19 plants of Zalinge tested were infected with potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) and potato virus S (P VS), and five plants also with potato virus X (PVX). No potato virus Y (PVY), A (PVA) nor M (PVM) were found. The viruses were eradicated with thermo and chemotherapy using standard procedures. The combination of both therapies did not result in any virus-free plants, but resulted in poor plant survival. Thermotherapy reduced the incidence of PLRV and PVS by 45% and 50%, respectively, and one virus-free plant was obtained. It grew vigorously in the greenhouse, was symptomless and had a significantly increased tuber yield compared to the virus-infected plants. Following sap-inoculation with PVY^O, Zalinge showed mosaic symptoms, developed necrosis in the leaves and stem and died 14 days post-inoculation. However, the plants of Zalinge infected with PVY^N remained symptomless, which suggested that hypersensitivity was specific to PVY^O. The fast development of lethal necrosis following infection with PVY^O may contribute to the low incidence of PVY in Zalinge in the field in Sudan.