Field testing potatoes for resistance to leafroll and virus Y

A method of screening seedlings in a breeding program for resistance to leafroll and virus Y under field conditions is outlined. From the results, more meaningful decisions can be made as to the prospects of a particular seedling surviving under commercial conditions. In addition, parents for resistance to the two viruses can be identified.     

Reaction to the potato leafroll virus (PLRV) in diploid potatoes

Summary Diploid parents with some resistance to PLRV, were intercrossed to give 3 families with 191 clones which were evaluated for reaction to PLRV and yielding ability. After inoculation with PLRV the clones could be separated into those: 1) resistant, 2) susceptible, 3) intolerant, reacting with low virus concentration, 4) tolerant and 5) intermediate in reaction. Both the ELISA test and the evaluation of external disease symptoms were necessary to separate the clones. No correlation was found between resistance to PLRV and tuber yielding ability.     

Volunteer potatoes as a source of potato leafroll virus and potato virus X

Volunteer potatoes were investigated as infection sources for potato leafroll virus (PLRV) and potato virus X (PVX) in a high elevation seed potato growing area of eastern Idaho. Population densities ofMyzus persicae were assessed. Percentage of PLRV and PVX infection of the volunteers and seed potato crops was determined, as well as density of volunteers and certain parameters of volunteer growth and reproduction. Volunteers apparently harbored no more PLRV than the potato crop from which they originated. But they were found to be an important reservoir of PVX with the infection increasing as much as 12.43% in one year. No aphids capable of transmitting PLRV were found although one species that can transmit potato virus Y was recorded. The mean density of volunteers varied from 0 to 84,880 stems/ha. The number of tubers remaining in the field after harvest and winter weather conditions appeared to be the only factors affecting volunteer density. Volunteer plants arising from seed pieces at an average depth of 6.1 cm were found to set an average of 2.1 new tubers per plant at an average depth of 4.0 cm. These results suggest that volunteer potatoes are a significant source of PVX infection in subsequent seed potato crops.     

Environmental factors influencing aphid transmission of potato virus Y and potato leafroll virus

Summary The effect of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and light on aphid transmission of potato virus Y (PVY) and potato leafroll virus (PLRV) was studied using as vectorsMyzus persicae Sulz. andAphis gossypii Glov. Host susceptibility was enhanced by 48 h pre-inoculation exposure at 25°C and by 48 h post-inoculation exposure to 30°C. High RH (80%) in both pre- or postinoculation phases enhanced host susceptibility. Continuous fluorescent light (4000 lux) did not alter the rate of transmission of either virus. High RH (80–90%) and high temperature (25–30°C), when combined, increased virus transmission by 30–35%. Transmission rates were reduced by nearly 50% if RH was maintained at 50% in either of the two phases even if the temperature was 25 or 30°C. Both viruses were acquired by aphids earlier (13–20 days after inoculation) when the source plants were incubated at 25 or 30°C. Most virus was transmitted from plants inoculated with PVY 13 to 16 days and with PLRV 15 to 20 days previously. Transmission rates of PVY were enumerated from symptom expression on test plants and by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) whereas those of PLRV were enumerated from symptom expression alone.     

The infection pressure of potato leafroll virus and potato virus Y in relation to aphid populations in Cyprus

Summary The infection pressure of two viruses, potato leafroll (PLRV) and potato virus Y (PVY), both common in seed potatoes grown in Cyprus, was determined in three experiments in 1982–83. Virus-free bait plants, of potato and four other species, were exposed weekly to field infection during the growing season (March–June), and then returned to an aphid-free glasshouse for symptom expression. Only tobacco plants produced clear symptoms enabling reliable assessment of PVY infection pressure. When assessed with ELISA or by tuber indexing, the potato plants were efficient baits for both viruses whose infection period commenced at emergence (mid March to early April) and ended within 6–7 weeks. The seasonal trend of aphid populations, determined with Moericke traps or 100-leaf counts, correspond to that of virus spread. Correlation and regression analysis of aphid and virus data implicated the alate form ofMyzus persicae as the principal vector of both viruses.     

Potato germplasm with combined resistance to leafroll virus and viruses X and Y

Potato germplasm with high levels of combined resistance to potato viruses X, Y, and leafroll was identified and used to produce improved parental clones with similarly high levels of resistance. Resistance was determined from the amount of tuber infection following inoculation of plants in the field. Parental germplasm with the best multiple resistance came from two backgrounds, eitherSolanum tuberosum group Andigena derived from the Cornell University neo-tuberosum program, or from complex hybrids ofS. tuberosum and wild solanums that were produced by the Max Planck Institute and the Polish Institute for Potato Research. Two Aberdeen, ID selections, A85519-6 and A85530-10, with gp. Andigena ancestry, have had no tuber-borne infection of PVX, PVY, or PLRV during four years of intensive field testing. We have not been successful in combining virus S resistance with resistance to the other viruses.     

Relationship of virus concentration with the field resistance to potato virus Y in potatoes

The concentration of potato virus Y (PVY) was determined, using ELISA values (A405 nm), in twenty-six potato cultivars belonging to five resistance groups, grown in the field and in the greenhouse. On the basis of virus concentration, potato cultivars of group A, B, and C did not differ significantly and constitute the most susceptible group; those of group D and E differ significantly with each other and with group A, B, C, and constitute moderate and highly resistant groups, respectively. In the second year of infection, virus concentration was higher in each group, irrespective of resistance level. Thus, the infected plants of resistant groups, in a second year of growth, could be as rich sources of virus to aphids as plants from susceptible groups.     

Incidence of potato virus Y and potato leaf roll virus in autumn potatoes in Israel

Summary Random sampling of autumn grown potatoes in Israel revealed potato virus Y incidences of 2.7, 2.5 and 3% during the years 1976, 1977 and 1978, respectively, figures only slightly higher than those found in spring-planted fields (2.3% in 1976), and which agree with visual estimates by the Inspection Service. Assaying random samples for potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) by aphid transmission to test plants, detected incidences as high as 38.8, 28.9, 36.7 and 33.3% during 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979, respectively, although only minor levels were visable, indicating symptom masking in the autumn. Most of the infection was found to be secondary; ca. 25% of the local seeds for autumn planting, grown during spring, are PLRV-infected. The effect of the high incidences of PLRV on autumn yields is not known, but they are consistently lower than spring yields of the same varieties. Contribution No 315-E, 1980 Series, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel.     

Potato leafroll virus distribution in potato meristem tips and production of virus-free plants

Summary Uridine-H³ was incorporated into meristem tips of both healthy and PLRV-infected potato plants, of the cultivars, Majestic and Primura. Autoradiograms of tips pretreated with actinomycin D showed that 13 of 14 and 11 of 14 respectively, were virus free in the dome and first 4 leaf primordia, 1 and 3 were infected in the 4th leaf primordium, and 1 of Primura also in its 3rd primordium. The highest plantlet yield from cultures in vitro of meristem tips that included 4 leaf primordia (7 to 9 plantlets per meristem), was obtained by growing them in sequence on 3 sequential media, each based on Murashige and Skoog basic medium complemented with various hormones. The 2nd medium, containing benzylaminopurine (0.5 mg/l) and gibberellic acid (0.5 mg/l), elicited callus and the subsequent formation of adventitious buds. Of the plantlets of the cvs Vivaks, Primura and Majestic, 88, 91 and 100 %, respectively, were PLRV-free. Propagation in vitro, by the single-node cutting technique and tuberlet production, were successful.     

Potato leafroll virus spread in differentially resistant potato cultivars under varying aphid densities

An action threshold of 3-10 green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer), apterae per 100 lower leaves is recommended for use in Minnesota to prevent further spread of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) in potato,Solarium tuberosum L. This threshold was first developed and validated using the PLRV susceptible cultivar Russet Burbank. Here we report experiments to determine if higher aphid densities could be tolerated in PLRV resistant cultivars,i.e., Kennebec (moderately resistant) or Cascade (highly resistant), without an increase in PLRV infection. Insecticidal sprays were applied to plots when predetermined target aphid densities, based on number of apterae per 100 leaves, were reached: 3, 10, 30, and 100 (Russet Burbank); 10, 30, 100, and 300 (Kennebec); and 30, 100, 300, and 1000 (Cascade). The response variable was the average percentage of PLRV infected plants. Overall mean cumulative aphid-days and percent PLRV infection were 617 and 23.5% for Russet Burbank, 1,296 and 10.2% for Kennebec, and 4,816 and 9.5% for Cascade. For each cultivar, the highest target aphid density tolerated without an increase in PLRV spread was determined by comparing PLRV infection in plots sprayed on predetermined thresholds to PLRV infection in plots where aphids were rigorously controlled. This maximum density was 10 apterae per 100 leaves for Russet Burbank and 300 apterae per 100 leaves for Cascade. Results using Kennebec were ambiguous, but Kennebec was always more resistant to PLRV than Russet Burbank. Excised leaflet tests showed that the cultivars did not differ in resistance to green peach aphid. It appears that action thresholds based on green peach aphid apterae can be different depending upon the inherent PLRV-resistance of the cultivar.     

Reducing the spread of potato leaf roll virus,alfalfa mosaic virus and potato virus Y in seed potatoes by trapping aphids on sticky yellow polyethylene sheets

Summary Trials were made in an attempt to reduce the spread of the aphid-transmitted viruses, potato leaf roll virus, potato virus Y and alfalfa mosaic virus in seed potatoes. The experiments were carried out on the coastal plain of Israel, at Bet-Dagan. Seed potatoes which had been protected by ‘sticky’, yellow polyethylene sheeting showed a marked reduction in the incidence of virus-infected tubers. The percentage of potato leaf roll virus-affected tubers from protected plots, compared to that from the unprotected, control plots, was as follows: for 1974, 2 and 17.2%, for 1975, 6 and 29%, respectively. The higher infection rates for the period 1975–76 being explained by the longer aphid trapping time used which continued until 20 June in 1975, but only to 10 May in 1974. There was also a reduction in the spread of both potato virus Y and alfalfa mosaic virus.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde untersucht, ob die Ausbreitung von Blattlaus-übertragbaren Viren-Blattrollvirus (PLRV). Alfalfa-Mosaik virus (AMV) und Kartoffel-Y-Virus (PVY)- in Pflanzkartoffełbest?nden durch den Gebrauch von Farbk?dern kontrolliert werden k?nnte. Diese Versuche beruhen auf den Ergebnissen, dass L?use von reflektiertem Licht im Bereich zwischen 500 und 700 nm stark angezogen werden (Moericke, 1969). In den Jahren 1974–1975 und 1975 1976 wurden im Frühjahr (Hauptkartoffelanbauzeit) in Bet-Dagan. Israel zwei getrennte Versuche durchgeführt. Abb. 1 zeigt zwei Parzellen 10 m × 10 m. die 30 m von einander getrennt sind. Eine ist von klebrigen gelben Poly?thylenfolien umgeben, die andere nicht- unbehandelte Kontrolle. Jeder dieser Parzellen wurde am 2. M?rz 1974 und am 5. M?rz 1975 mit irischem zertifiziertem Pflanzgut der Sorte Up-to-date bepflanzt, insgesamt 260 Knollen pro Parzelle, wobei der Abstand zwischen den Reihen 90 em und innerhalb der Reihe 35 cm betrug. Vor dem Auflaufen der Kartoffeln wurde in einem Abstand von 4 m von den Parzellenkanten bis zu einer H?he von 70 cm über dem Erdboden 4 m×0.5 m grosse Poly?thylenfolien gespannt. Diese Folien wurden mit ‘Rimi foot glue’ (R. Yewnin and M. Joffe. Technochemical factory. Tel Aviv. Israel) bedeckt, das durchsichtig ist und lange Zeit klebrig bleibt. W?hrend der Wachstumszeit wurden die Symptome beobachtet und mit Hilfe einer Wasserfalle nach Moericke, die nahe der Kartoffeln aufgestellt war, wurden die geflügelten Blattlauspopulationen gefangen, um darüber Daten zu erhalten. Die gefangenen Blattl?use wurden w?chentlich gesammelt (Zimmerman-Gries & Swirski, 1960). Vom Gesamtfang wurde nurMyzus persicae bestimmt und gez?hlt. Das Auftreten von Prim?rinfektionen durch PLRV, AMV und PVY wurde durch regelm?ssige Feldbeobachtungen erfasst. Von jeder Pflanze wurden für sp?tere Kontrollen zwei Kartoffelknollen in den für sp?tere Kontrollen zwei Kartoffelknollen in Pflanzgutgr?sse geerntet. Diese Kartoffelknollen wurden 6 Monate bei 2 3 C gelagert und dann in einem insektengeschüzten Gew?chshaus ausgepflanzt. Das Blattrollivrus wurde bestimmt, in demM. persicae von Pflanzen, in denen dieses Virus vermutet wurde, aufDatura stramonium umgesetzt wurden (Zimmerman-Gries et al., 1973). AMV, PVY und PVX wurden durch mechanische Inokulation auf Testpflanzen identifiziert. Die Abbildungen 2 und 3 zeigen die enge Verbindung zwischen der Verteilung des Gesamtfanges w?hrend der Saison und der vonMyzus persicae. Tabelle 1 zeigt die Anzahl infizierter Knollen in Prozent im ersten Nachbau von geschützten und ungeschützten Parzellen. In den Jahren 1974 und 1975 waren in den ungeschützten Parzellen viel mehr PLRV-infizierte Knollen als in den geschützten (2 und 17.2% bzw. 6 und 29%). Der h?here PLRV-Befall im Jahre 1975 kann durch die l?ngere Fangperiode fürM. persicae in diesem Jahr erkl?rt werden. Ein ?hnlicher Einfluss der klebrigen, gelben Poly?thylenfolien wurde bei der Ausbreitung von AMV (1974: 16 und 7.2%. 1975: 2.5 und 6%) beobachtet. Der Befall durch PVY war nicht so hoch wie der von Cohen & Marco (1973) festgestellte (1974: 0 und 2.4% und 1975: 1 und 3.5%). Sie fanden in 90% ihrer Pfefferproben PVY. Diese Technik, mit entsprechender Weiterentwicklung, k?nnte der Ausbreitung persistenter und nicht persistenter Viren in Pflanzkartoffelbest?nden entgegenwirken.

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Résumé La possibilité de réduire le taux de contamination du plant de pommes de terre par le virus de l'enroulement (PLRV), le virus de la mosa?que de la luzerne (AMV) et le virus Y de la pomme de terre (PVY) a été testée et la réduction a pu être possible par l'utilisation d'appats de couleur’. Ces essais ont été basés sur le fait que les pucerons sont fortement attirés par la lumière réfléchie dans la zone des 500–700 nm (Moericke, 1969). Deux expérimentations différentes ont été conduites durant le printemps (principale période de culture de la pomme de terre) des années 1974–75 et 1975–76 à Bet-Dagan en Isra?l. Deux parcelles de 10 m×10 m, séparées par une distance de 30 m, ont été retenues comme l'indique la figure 1. L'une est entourée avec des baches en polyéthylène jaune qui sont collantes, l'autre n'est pas entourée et sert de témoin non traité. Chacune de ces parcelles a été plantée avec des semences certifiées en provenance d'Irlande de la variété Up-to-Date le 2 mars 1974 et le 5 mars 1975. 260 tubercules ont été plantés dans chaque parcelle à des distances de 90 cm×35 cm. A une distance de 4 m de chaque c?té, et avant la levée des pommes de terre, une bache de polyéthylène jaune de 4 m ×0.5 m a été déployée à une hauteur de 0.7 m au-dessus du sol. Ces baches ont été recouvertes de ‘glue Rimi-foot’ (R. Yewmin et M. Joffe, usine technochimique. Tel Aviv, Isra?l) qui est transparente et qui reste collante assez longtemps. Les sympt?mes ont été observés pendant la période de croissance et un échantillonnage de la population aphide ailée a été réalisé au moyen de piège à eau du type Moericke, placé près des pommes de terre afin d'obtenir des données sur la population de pucerons ailés. Les pucerons piégés ont été collectés chaque semaine (Zimmerman-Gries & Swirski, 1960). Sur le total d'ailés recueillis, il n'y a eu queMyzus persicae d'identifier et de dénombrer. L'incidence de l'infection en cours de saison par le PLRV, AMV et PVY a été déterminée par des observations au champ à intervalles réguliers. Au moment de la récolte, il a été prélevé 2 tubercules par pied pour le test de préculture. Ces tubercules ont été conservés à 2–3 C pendant 6 mois: la mise en culture a eu lieu en l'absence de tout insecte. Le virus de l'enroulement a été identifié après acquisition parM. persicae sur des plantes suspectées être contaminées et après transmission àDatura stramonium (Zimmerman-Gries et al., 1973). AMV, PVY et PVX ont été identifiés par inoculation mécanique à des plantes tests. Peu de plantes infectées en cours de saison ont été observées. L'étroite correspondance entre la distribution saisonnière pour l'ensemble des pucerons recueillis et pourM. persicae est indiquée par les figures 2 et 3. Le pourcentage de tubercules-fils contaminés par les virus pour les parcelles protégées et non protégées est résumé dans le tableau 1, II y a eu plus de tubercules contaminés par le PLRV dans les parcelles non protégées que dans les parcelles protégées pour les deux années 1974 et 1975 (2 et 17.2%, 6 et 29% respectivement). Le pourcentage plus élevé du PLRV en 1975 peut être expliqué par la période de capture deM. persicae, plus longue cette année. Une influence similaire des baches de polyéthylène jaune qui sont collantes a été observée sur la dissémination du AMV (1974: 16 et 7.2%. 1975: 2.5 et 6%). L'incidence du PVY (1974: 0 et 2.4% et 1975: 1 et 3.5%) n'a pas été aussi grande que celle observée par Cohen & Marco (1973). Ces auteurs ont trouvé 90% de PVY dans leurs échantillons de poivre. Cette technique, avec davantage de données, peut être efficace pour lutter contre la dissémination des virus persistants et non persistants dans les parcelles de plants de pommes de terre.

     

Resistance of potato clones to the green peach aphid and potato leafroll virus

During 1980 and 1981 potato cultivars and breeding selections, including cultivated species and their hybrid derivatives, were evaluated for resistance to the green peach aphid (GPA),Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and to potato leafroll virus (PLRV). Criteria used were the number of aphids which colonized the clones in free choice field experiments and the number of plants derived from these experiments which showed symptoms of PLRV infection. Generally, greater resistance to GPA was found inSolarium tuberosum gp.andigena selections and hybrids than in gp.tuberosum cultivars. There were approximately fourfold differences in season-mean GPA levels among the clones tested each year. Forty-two families, representing a cross-section of the USDA breeding populations at the University of Idaho Research and Extension Center, Aberdeen, showed a similar range in colonization levels. Resistance to GPA colonization appeared to be more prevalent in gp.andigena, gp.phureja, and gp.stenotonum derivatives. There was a weak positive correlation (r² = .34, P = .01) between foliar total glycoalkaloids and season-mean GPA colonization levels for six clones representing the range of observed resistance to GPA. Resistance to GPA colonization was apparently not directly related to resistance to PLRV infection. Katahdin, for example, was relatively susceptible to GPA colonization but very resistant to PLRV infection whereas selection A69657-4 (gp.andigena) was among the most resistant to GPA colonization but among the more susceptible to PLRV infection. Breeding for resistance to GPA colonization therefore may not be as promising for PLRV control as developing PLRV resistant cultivars.     

Control of aphid-borne potato virus Y in potatoes with oil emulsions

Tests were made at Presque Isle, Maine, from 1963 through 1965 to measure the effect of oil sprays on the spread of potato virus Y (PVY) in Green Mountain potatoes. In 1963, 4 weekly applications of a 1% mineral oil emulsion at 1.25 gal oil/acre(4.71/.41 ha) did notaffect significantly (P = 0.05) the spread of PVY. In 1964, the 64% control of PVY spread from 5 weekly applications of mineral oil emulsion at 1.25 gal/acre was not significantly different at that level from the 55% control from 5 weekly applications of the oil emulsion at 2.5 gal/acre (9.5 1/.41 ha). Three or 5 weekly applications of an alkylated naphthalene (Velsicol AR-60®) spray at 1.25 gal/acre significantly increased spread of PVY compared to that from 5 applications of the oil at 1.25 or at 2.5 gal/acre. In 1965, from 69 to 75% control of PVY spread resulted from 6 weekly applications of a paraffin oil emulsion at 2.5 gal/acre. The percent spread from the 6 weekly applications was smaller, but not significantly so (P = 0.05), than from 3 weekly applications made during the first half of the same 6-week period. In these tests, relatively light spread of PVY occurred, and control of spread was rather variable but the results indicate that oil emulsion sprays offer promise for protecting potato plants from PVY infection.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of potato leafroll virus and potato virus Y in potato tubers after artificial break of dormancy

Summary Conditions necessary for the detection of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) and potato virus Y (PVY) in tubers from primary and secondary infected plants were investigated. Tubers were analysed before and after breaking dormancy by rindite treatment. PLRV was reliably detected indormant tubers whereas PVY was readily detected only when tubers had been rindite-treated and held for two to three weeks at 22°C and high humidity in the dark. PLRV occurred in higher concentration at the heel end than at the rose end of infected tubers and the concentration remained nearly unchanged during the experimental period of 35 days, whereas PVY was found to be more concentrated at the rose end and was rapidly accumulating in the tubers after the break of dormancy. In dormant tubers PVY concentration dropped during storage at 22°C. The use of ELISA for tuber indexing is discussed.     

A deviant strain of potato virus Y infecting potatoes in South Africa

Summary From 1980 to 1982 a mosaic disease of potatoes was prevalent in a major seed potato production area in South Africa. The virus causing the disease was serologically identified as a strain of potato virus Y (PVY). Its host range and symptoms were similar to those of PVY^o and it was designated PVY-81. PVY-81 failed to induce necrotic lesions on leaves ofSolanum demissum×S. tuberosum ‘A6’, but it did so on the potato cultivars BP-1, Buffelspoort and Koos Smit. PVY-81 was non-persistently transmitted byMyzus persicae. Monitoring of aphid migrations showed that aphid species that do not naturally colonize potatoes could have caused the primary spread of the virus into potato fields.

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Zusammenfassung Von 1980 bis 1982 war im Hauptgebiet der Saatkartoffelproduktion in Südafrika eine Mosaikkrankheit an Kartoffeln verbreitet. Das Virus, das die Krankheit verursacht, wurde an Hand seiner Partikelmorphologie und der serologischen Verh?ltnisse als ein Stamm des Kartoffelvirus Y (PVY) identifiziert. Er wurde als PVY-81 bezeichnet. Der Wirtskreis des PVY-81 war auf Solanaceen und Chenopodiaceen beschr?nkt. Die durch diesen Stamm induzierten Symptome an Wirtspflanzen ?hnelten denjenigen, die durch PVY^O verursacht wurden mit Ausnahme der nicht induzierbaren Lokall?sionen auf den abgetrennten Bl?ttern vonSolanum demissum×Solanum tuberosum ‘A6’. Die nekrotische Reaktion auf den inokulierten Bl?ttern der Sorte Koos Smit wurde mit einbezogen, um den ‘A6’-Test zu ersetzen (Abb. 1). Die Reaktion einiger Kartoffelsorten (Tab. 1) auf die Infektion mit diesem Stamm unterschied sich von derjenigen auf PVY^O und PVY^N. Drei Sorten, King George, Pentland Dell und 890/20 waren offensichtlich resistent gegenüber der Blattlausübertragung (Tab. 2). Das Virus wurde vonMyzus persicae nicht-persistent übertragen. Die Befunde, die sich aus der Erfassung der Blattlauspopulation ergaben, wiesen darauf hin, dass die nicht auf Kartoffeln kolonisierenden Blattl?use wieAcyrthosiphon pisum, Rhopalosiphoninus staphyleae undRhopalosiphum padi vermutlich hauptverantwortlich für die Ausbreitung des PVY-81 waren. Eine sehr geringe Anzahl vonM. persicae undMacrosiphum euphorbiae wurden w?hrend der gesamten Wachstumszeit in den Fallen gefangen (Tab. 3). Das Pflanzen von gesundem Saatgut und das rechtzeitige Entfernen von Volunteer-Kartoffeln aus der vorhergegangenen Saison hat zur Kontrolle der Krankheit geführt.

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Résumé De 1980 à 1982, une mosa?que de la pomme de terre s'est répandue dans une grande région de production de plants de pommes de terre en Afrique du Sud. Le virus responsable de la maladie fut identifié comme souche du virus Y de la pomme de terre (PVY) sur la base de la morphologie de sa particule et des caractéristiques sérologiques. Il fut identifié comme PVY-81. La gamme h?te de PVY-81 était limitée aux Solanaceae et aux Chenopodiaceae. Les sympt?mes sur plantes-h?tes induites par cette souche sont similaires à ceux causés par PVY^O sauf qu'elle n'entr?ne pas de lésions locales sur feuilles détachées deSolanum demissum ×S. tuberosum ‘A6’. La réaction nécrotique sur feuilles inoculées de la variété Koos Smit fut incorporée en complément du test A6 (figure 1). La réaction de certaines variétés (tableau 1) à l'infection par cette souche diffère de celle provoquée par PVY^O et PVY^N. Trois variétés King George, Pentland Dell et 890/20 furent apparamment résistante à la transmission du virus (tableau 2). Le virus fut transmis de fa?on non persistante parMyzus persicae. Les résultats obtenus par comptage des populations aphidiennes montrent que les espèces qui ne colonnisent pas les pommes de terre telles queAcyrthosiphon pisum, Rhopalosiphoninus staphyleae etRhopalosiphum padi sont parmi les plus responsables de la dissémination de PVY-81. Un faible nombre deM. persicae etMacrosiphum euphorbiae a été capturé pendant la période de croissance (tableau 3). La plantation de plants sains et l'enlèvement au bon moment des repousses de la période précédente ont conduit à maitriser la maladie.

     

Heat inactivation of leafroll virus in potato tuber tissues

Heat inactivation of leafroll virus in tuber tissues of three potato varieties (Russet Burbank, Katahdin, and Mohawk) was studied. Russet Burbank did not tolerate high constant temperatures and a low proportion of tubers and eye-pieces survived the treatments. On the other hand, Russet Burbank eye-pieces survived, with few exceptions, treatment at 40 C for four hours alternating with room temperaure (16–20 C) for 20 hours daily for as long as eight weeks. Inactivation of the virus was complete after six weeks of this treatment. Results obtained with the Katahdin and Mohawk varieties in similar tests were variable, and this possibly may be attributed to the higher room temperature (25–30 C) prevailing during these experiments.