Crop borders reduce potato virus Y incidence in seed potato

Crop borders of soybean (Glycine max), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) were tested as a means of reducing potato virus Y (PVY) incidence in seed potato. Borders of fallow cultivated ground served as controls. Aphid landing rates were monitored weekly in plots using green tile traps, and PVY incidence was assessed by serologically testing tuber progeny from selected rows in each plot. Average weekly aphid landing rates in fallow-bordered and crop-bordered plots were not significantly different in 1992 (29.4 and 25.2 aphids, respectively) or 1993 (7.3 and 6.6 aphids, respectively). However, crop borders significantly reduced PVY incidence. In 1992, fallow-bordered and soybean-bordered plots averaged 47.8% and 35.0% PVY infection, respectively. In 1993, PVY infection averaged across all crop (soybean, sorghum, and wheat) bordered plots was 2.7% compared to 6.8% in fallow-bordered plots. PVY incidence in the centre rows of fallow-bordered and crop-bordered plots was statistically equivalent, while outer rows of crop-bordered plots had significantly less PVY than outer rows of fallow-bordered plots. Crop borders apparently reduced the number of viruliferous aphids landing on the edge of the plot. The choice of crop species used as a border, or treating the border with a systemic insecticide, did not affect aphid landing rates or PVY incidence. In 1995, PVY incidence in the centre 10 row block of potatoes averaged 2.1% across all crop borders (potato and soybean). PVY infection in the four row potato border averaged 5.7%. Crop borders are readily adaptable to current production practices, although the greatest benefits in reducing PVY incidence would occur in average sized, generation 0 (< 0.2 ha), elite seed potato fields.     

Forecasting virus disease in seed potatoes using flight activity data of aphid vectors

We compiled data from the Swiss seed certification programme for the country‐wide incidence of viruses in seed potato crops for the years 1989–2012. Model selection techniques were used to regress year‐to‐year variation in the incidence of potato viruses – largely dominated by Potato virus Y (PVY) – in three susceptible varieties against the abundance of virus vectors (winged aphids), obtained in a suction trap, to identify the most important vector species. The ultimate aim of this study was to develop a decision‐support system capable of forecasting virus spread during the current season using trap data of aphid flights. The average virus incidence in the varieties Bintje, Sirtema and Charlotte varied considerably among years, ranging from 1.0% in 2009 to 13.6% in 1989 (N = 150–611 seed lots per year). A linear regression model including the cumulative sums (until mid‐June) of two aphid species (Brachycaudus helichrysi and Phorodon humuli) as predictor variables for virus disease was remarkably well supported by the data (R² = 0.86). Similarly, using counts of B. helichrysi alone resulted in a good model fit (R² = 0.81). Cross‐validation revealed high predictive accuracy of the model. Although prediction root mean squared errors (RMSE) calculated for different timings of forecasts were high for extremely early forecasts, they rapidly declined for forecasts conducted by the end of May (i.e. 2–4 weeks after potato emergence). Winter temperature (January–February) was positively correlated with the abundance of B. helichrysi in early summer as well as with post‐harvest virus incidence. Remarkably, the abundance of Myzus persicae, often considered the main vector of PVY, was not correlated with virus incidence. Taken together, our analysis suggests that the early migrating aphid B. helichrysi, rather than M. persicae, is the main vector of PVY in Switzerland, and that suction trap data are useful for the design of decision‐support systems aimed to optimise virus control in seed potato production.     

Potato virus Y reduction by straw mulch in organic potatoes

Potato virus Y (PVY) is transmitted non-persistently by winged morphs of many aphid species and is a major problem in seed potato production. In order to evaluate the potential of straw mulch applications (4–5 t ha⁻¹) and presprouting on PVY reduction, small scale organically managed field experiments were carried out in Northern Hessen, Germany, over 3 yr. In all years mulching significantly reduced aphid infestation on leaves as well as PVY incidence in tubers. For the effect of presprouting the temporal coincidence of two factors was crucial – crop emergence and aphid flight activity. Presprouting decreased PVY incidence when in the phase of early crop emergence aphid spring flight activity was low, but increased it, although not significantly, when prominent aphid flight peaks occurred in this critical period. Straw mulch was most effective when vector pressure was concentrated early in the year acting as a PVY protectant for young plants. In later growth stages its effect declined gradually with increasing ground coverage of the crop. Combined mulching and presprouting had a synergistic, complementary effect on reduction of PVY incidence. In an on-farm experiment in 2001 scaling up the area mulched stepwise from 100 m² to 900 m² consistently kept aphid infestation at reduced levels.     

Incidence of potato virus Y infection in seed and ware tubers of the potato cv. Record

The incidence of potato virus Y (PVY) infection was assessed in samples of potato tubers, cv. Record, taken from Scottish seed stocks and English ware crops grown from some of these seed stocks. PVY was readily detected by ELISA of tuber sprouts. PVY-infected tubers were found in 10 seed stocks of 84 tested. The mean level of virus infection was 0.23%, 0.76% and 0.56% in Super Elite, Elite and AA stocks respectively. In 46 commercial ware crops grown from some of these seed stocks, a substantial proportion of the harvested tubers in all but one of the crops were infected with PVY, the mean percentage of infected tubers was 58.5%. Ware crops grown from seven seed stocks in which PVY had been detected (mean 6.2% infection in seed) contained a mean of 70% infected tubers, compared with 56% infection in crops grown from 39 stocks in which PVY was not detected in the seed tubers. The predominant PVY strain detected in the ware crops was the veinal necrosis strain (PVY^vn).     

Comparison of transmission efficiency of various isolates of Potato virus Y among three aphid vectors

Potato virus Y (PVY) strains are transmitted by different aphid species in a non‐persistent, non‐circulative manner. Green peach aphid (GPA), Myzus persicae Sulzer, is the most efficient vector in laboratory studies, but potato aphid (PA), Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas (both Hemiptera: Aphididae, Macrosiphini), and bird cherry‐oat aphid (BCOA), Rhopalosiphum padi L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae, Aphidini), also contribute to PVY transmission. Studies were conducted with GPA, PA, and BCOA to assess PVY transmission efficiency for various isolates of the same strain. Treatments included three PVY strains (PVY^O, PVY^N:O, PVY^NTN) and two isolates of each strain (Oz and NY090031 for PVY^O; Alt and NY090004 for PVY^N:O; N4 and NY090029 for PVY^NTN), using each of three aphid species as well as a sham inoculation. Virus‐free tissue‐cultured plantlets of potato cv. Russet Burbank were used as virus source and recipient plants. Five weeks post inoculation, recipient plants were tested with quantitative DAS‐ELISA to assess infection percentage and virus titer. ELISA‐positive recipient plants were assayed with RT‐PCR to confirm presence of the expected strains. Transmission efficiency (percentage infection of plants) was highest for GPA, intermediate for BCOA, and lowest for PA. For all aphid species, transmission efficiency did not differ significantly between isolates within each strain. No correlations were found among source plant titer, infection percentage, and recipient plant titer. For both GPA and BCOA, isolates of PVY^NTN were transmitted with greatest efficiency followed by isolates of PVY^O and PVY^N:O, which might help explain the increasing prevalence of necrotic strains in potato‐growing regions. Bird cherry‐oat aphid transmitted PVY with higher efficiency than previously reported, suggesting that this species is more important to PVY epidemiology than has been considered.     

Aphid Transmission of Potato aucuba mosaic virus Strains Mediated by Different Strains of Potato virus Y

Three British strains of potato aucuba mosaic virus (PAMV) were tested for transmissibility by the aphid Myzus persicae. None was aphid transmissible on its own but all three were transmitted in the nonpersistent manner by aphids that had previously been fed on a source of the potyvirus potato virus Y (PVY). Different PVY strains mediated PAMV transmission from Nicotiana clevelandii to Capsicum annuum to different degrees, and different PAMV strains were transmitted at different frequencies when assisted by the same PVY strain. These results are compatible with the idea that subtle differences in the PAMV coat protein and in the PVY helper component are responsible for diffrences in frequencies of transmission of PAMV, without however, excluding the possibility of effects of other undefined factors. Transmission of PAMV was no less frequent when mediated by a PVY strain that was unable to infect C. annuum than when a C. annuum‐infecting PVY strain was used.     

Efficacy of Three Strategies Based on Insecticide,Oil and Elicitor Treatments in Controlling Aphid Populations and Potato virus Y Epidemics in Potato Fields

Potato virus Y (PVY), the potato virus with the highest economic impact in Europe, is transmitted by aphids in a non‐persistent manner. A two‐year field experiment was conducted in Switzerland to evaluate the efficacy of three strategies for controlling aphid populations and the spread of PVY, consisting of treatment with one insecticide (Karate Zeon^®), one elicitor (Bion^®) and one oil (Telmion^®), respectively. The elicitor strategy proved to be ineffective for controlling aphid populations and inadequate for controlling PVY spread. The insecticide strategy gave incomplete protection from aphid infestations, owing to the selection of aphid‐resistant clones. The insecticide gave too little protection against PVY spread for it to be considered a suitable candidate for the purpose. The oil strategy had no effect on aphid populations, but was the best option to reduce PVY spread.     

Effect of mineral oils on host plant selection and probing behavior of Rhopalosiphum padi

Aphids that colonize and reproduce on potato are some of the most efficient vectors of Potato virus Y (PVY) (Potyviridae: Potyvirus), and hence these aphids have been the focus of the majority of studies to date. However, other non‐colonizing aphids can also function as vectors. Mineral oil is the only product available to growers that effectively prevents the spread of PVY in potato seed production. Most previous studies focused on the effect of mineral oil on the behavior of aphids on their preferential host plant, and consequently there is a lack of information for non‐colonizing aphids on potato plants. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of spraying potatoes with one of two mineral oils, Superior 70 or Vazyl‐Y, on host selection and probing behavior of the non‐colonizing aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique, combined with ethological observations, determined that there was no difference in R. padi behavior on potato plants treated with Superior 70. However, there were few significant changes in R. padi behavior on plants sprayed with Vazyl‐Y, including a delay in the initiation of stylet penetration and an increase in the duration of xylem sap ingestion. These new data support previous results and confirm that the mode of action of mineral oil in the reduction of the spread of PVY is not solely due to the modification of the behavior of aphids.     

Epidemiological analysis of risk factors for the spread of potato viruses in Switzerland

Virus diseases represent important economic threats to the production of seed potatoes worldwide, yet little quantitative information is available on the relative merits of different measures of virus control applied singly or in combination. In this study, we compiled data from the national seed certification programme on the incidence of Potato Virus Y (PVY) and Potato Leaf‐roll Virus (PLRV) in potato tubers in Switzerland for the years 1990–2009 and used generalised linear models to investigate the influence of key epidemiological factors on infection risk. Results showed that post‐harvest virus incidence increased with initial inoculum levels, with the largest change in infection risk occurring between fields with no inoculum and those with low levels of inoculum. Virus incidence decreased with increasing altitude of fields. Surprisingly, infection risk was considerably lower for imported seed lots even though the model controlled for the effect of inoculum level, potato variety and other confounders. Overall, variety was the most important factor influencing virus risk. The results of the present analysis are useful to fine‐tune decision‐support systems that predict disease risk under different epidemiological scenarios.     

Effect of mineral oil on Potato virus Y acquisition by Rhopalosiphum padi

Seed potato crops are currently sprayed weekly with mineral oil to prevent transmission of the Potato virus Y (PVY; Potyviridae: Potyvirus), one of the most prevalent and important non‐persistent viruses affecting potato production. In spite of its wide usage as inhibitor of virus transmission, the mode of action for mineral oil is poorly known. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of dosage and time from application of mineral oil on the inhibition of PVY acquisition. The bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), known as vector of PVY, was used in all the experiments. The results indicated that mineral oil efficiently decreased PVY acquisition by 75 and 70% 1 day after application of 5 and 10 l ha^?1, respectively. The inhibition effect decreased with time from application; mineral oil inhibits acquisition for less than 4 days at 5 l ha^?1 and between 8 and 12 days at 10 l ha^?1. As mineral oil was detected in the body of fewer aphids when they fed on plants 1 day after oil application, a change in the aphid probing behaviour on mineral oil‐treated plants was deduced. These results support the hypothesis that mineral oil physically inhibits the binding of the virus at the tip of the stylets.     

Monitoring of aphid flight activities in?seed?potato?crops?in Serbia

Aphid flight activities in seed potato fields have been studied by the yellow water traps. It is a good method for monitoring aphids as vectors of viruses, but this study also showed it is a suitable method for insect-diversity research. During the four-year studies, over 11.500 specimens were collected and a total of 107 different taxa of aphids were identified. The most abundant species were polyphagous species, such as: Acyrthosiphon pisum (Haris), Aphis fabae Scopoli, Aphis gossypii Gloverand Brachycaudus helichrysi (Kaltenbach). The results of the studies show that diversity of aphids in different regions of Serbia is similar regardless of the altitude and the diversity of terrain. At most sites it ranged from 2 to 3. The highest value was recorded in Begeč, locality in northern part of Serbia, in year 2008, and it was 2.92. The maximum values of the Shannon-Weaver diversity index at all sites were recorded in the first weeks of the monitoring of aphid flight activities. Morisita-Horn similarity index shows no significant differences between sites regardless of altitudes. The sites are grouped by year, not by similarity of relief. In spite of these results, the Chi-square analysis showed highly significant difference in vector frequencies among seasons and sites with more pronounced differences for PVY. As a consequence of differences in vector frequencies, the vector pressure index in some regions was different also. The number of vectors and vector pressure index vary depending on the altitude of localities. At localities at altitudes under 1000 m, they were high. The highest index was at Kotraža, locality in central part of Serbia, in 2007, when PVY index exceeded the value of 180, while for PLRV it was 60. At high altitudes on mountain Golija, above 1100 m, the number of aphids was low, as well as the vector pressure index which indicates that these regions are suitable for producing virus-free seed potato.     

Relationship between inoculum density and vector phenology on the incidence of potato virus Y in tobacco

The epidemiology of potato virus Y (PVY) in the tobacco crop, Nicotiana tabacum, was examined in the context of the seasonal abundance of aphid vectors, rate of disease progress, and disease gradient from a known virus source. The spring potato crop, Solanum tuberosum, was suspected of being the main source of inoculum; therefore, varying numbers of infected potato plants were used as the inoculum source in different test plots. A 3-wk lag phase was present in all disease progress curves prior to an exponential increase in disease incidence. The relatively low numbers of aphid vectors, primarily transient species, alighting on the crop during the lag phase were responsible for the primary spread of PVY from potato to tobacco. The arrival of large numbers of colonising aphid vectors, Myzus persicae, presumably from the harvested potatoes, coincided with the exponential increase in PVY incidence in tobacco. The initial number of potato plants infected with PVY was positively correlated with the final disease incidence, rate of disease progress, and the magnitude of radial dispersion of PVY into the tobacco. Aphid vector pressure was not a significant variable in the differences in spatial and temporal characteristics of PVY epidemics among test plots.     

Infection of potato plants with potato leafroll virus changes attraction and feeding behaviour of Myzus persicae

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV; genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae) is a persistently transmitted circulative virus that depends on aphids for spreading. The primary vector of PLRV is the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Solanum tuberosum L. potato cv. Kardal (Solanaceae) has a certain degree of resistance to M. persicae: young leaves seem to be resistant, whereas senescent leaves are susceptible. In this study, we investigated whether PLRV‐infection of potato plants affected aphid behaviour. We found that M. persicae's ability to differentiate headspace volatiles emitted from PLRV‐infected and non‐infected potato plants depends on the age of the leaf. In young apical leaves, no difference in aphid attraction was found between PLRV‐infected and non‐infected leaves. In fact, hardly any aphids were attracted. On the contrary, in mature leaves, headspace volatiles from virus infected leaves attracted the aphids. We also studied the effect of PLRV‐infection on probing and feeding behaviour (plant penetration) of M. persicae using the electrical penetration graph technique (DC system). Several differences were observed between plant penetration in PLRV‐infected and non‐infected plants, but only after infected plants showed visual symptoms of PLRV infection. The effects of PLRV‐infection in plants on the behaviour of M. persicae, the vector of the virus, and the implications of these effects on the transmission of the virus are thoroughly discussed.     

Determination of aphid transmission efficiencies for N, NTN and Wilga strains of Potato virus Y

Potato virus Y (PVY, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) causes high economic losses worldwide, especially in the production of seed potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). PVY control systems rely on measuring virus pressure and vector pressure in the field. Calculation of the vector pressure is based on the relative efficiency factors (REFs) of aphid species. These REFs express the transmission efficiency of aphid species in relation to the transmission efficiency of Myzus persicae, the most efficient vector of PVY. In this paper, we report on the determination of aphids' relative transmission efficiency factors (REFs) for isolates of the PVY strains PVY^N, PVY^NTN and PVY^N-Wi. Biotype Mp2 of M. persicae was tested for its transmission efficiency for six PVY isolates (one PVY^N, three PVY^NTN and two PVY^N-Wi isolates) and showed comparable average transmission efficiencies for all isolates. The transmission rate of this biotype for the six PVY isolates was set to 1 and Mp2 was used as an internal control in transmission experiments to determine the REFs of three other biotypes of M. persicae and 16 other aphid species (three biotypes per species when available) for the six PVY isolates. Comparing the calculated REFs for PVY^N with the REFs reported in the previous century for PVY^N, we observe overall comparable REFs, except for Aphis fabae, Aphis spp., Hyperomyzus lactucae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Rhopalosiphum padi, which have a lower REF in our experiments, and Aphis frangulae and Phorodon humuli, which have now a higher REF. Comparing the new REFs found for the PVY^NTN strains with the new REFs for PVY^N, we observe that they are overall comparable, except for A. frangulae (0.17 compared with 0.53) and Schizaphis graminum (0.05 compared with 0.00). Comparing the REFs calculated for PVY^N-Wi with those calculated for PVY^N, we can observe six aphid species with higher REFs (Acyrthosiphon pisum, A. fabae, Aphis nasturtii, Aphis spp., P. humuli and R. padi). Only the species A. frangulae shows a lower REF for PVY^N-Wi compared with the transmission efficiency of PVY^N. Three aphid species (Aulacorthum solani, Myzus ascalonicus and S. graminum) for which no REF was determined earlier were found to be capable to transmit PVY and their REFs were determined.     

The role of volunteer potatoes in the spread of potato virus YN in ware crops of cv. Record

Surveys were made for the presence of potato virus Y (PVY) in the planted seed and harvested tubers in ware potato crops of cv. Record grown at three sites in England in 1994 (survey 1) and seven sites in 1995 (survey 2). PVY was not found in samples of planted seed, but high levels of infection were found in many, but not all, harvested crops. However, plants of volunteer potatoes (VP) (i.e. plants arising from tubers or true seed derived from previous crops and surviving in the soil) were frequently found to be infected. Infection in tubers harvested from crops in the first survey ranged from 2–52%. In 1995, VP were collected from two of the three English sites where potato crops had been grown the previous season and also from a site in Scotland where PVY infection in an experimental crop of cv. Record had been monitored in 1994. The percentages of infected VP ranged from 2–54%. PVY^N was the predominant strain found in sampled VP, with only two plants (out of 300 infected) containing PVY^O. In the second survey, VP were assessed within the 1995 ware crops and were found at four sites, at which they comprised between 4–8% of emerged potato plants. Between 31–93% of VP were infected. Again, PVY^N was the predominant strain with one plant containing PVY^O and another PVY^C (out of 189 infected). A sample of harvested tubers from each site was also tested for PVY. At those sites which had many infected VP, the harvested crop contained a large percentage of infected tubers, ranging from 60–97%. Two sites which had not previously been used for cropping potatoes had no VP and a very low incidence of PVY infection in the harvested tubers (1% and 2%). However, although no VP were found at one site, 31% of harvested tubers were infected, suggesting that alternative inoculum sources may be important.     

Seasonal Phenology and Species Composition of the Aphid Fauna in a Northern Crop Production Area

Background

The species diversity of aphids and seasonal timing of their flight activity can have significant impacts on crop production, as aphid species differ in their ability to transmit plant viruses and flight timing affects virus epidemiology. The aim of the study was to characterise the species composition and phenology of aphid fauna in Finland in one of the northernmost intensive crop production areas of the world (latitude 64°).

Methodology/Principal Findings

Flight activity was monitored in four growing seasons (2007–010) using yellow pan traps (YPTs) placed in 4–8 seed potato fields and a Rothamsted suction trap. A total of 58,528 winged aphids were obtained, identified to 83 taxa based on morphology, and 34 species were additionally characterised by DNA barcoding. Seasonal flight activity patterns analysed based on YPT catch fell into three main phenology clusters. Monoecious taxa showed early or middle-season flight activity and belonged to species living on shrubs/trees or herbaceous plants, respectively. Heteroecious taxa occurred over the entire potato growing season (ca. 90 days). Abundance of aphids followed a clear 3-year cycle based on suction trap data covering a decade. Rhopalosiphum padi occurring at the end of the potato growing season was the most abundant species. The flight activity of Aphis fabae, the main vector of Potato virus Y in the region, and Aphis gossypii peaked in the beginning of potato growing season.

Conclusions/Significance

Detailed information was obtained on phenology of a large number aphid species, of which many are agriculturally important pests acting as vectors of plant viruses. Aphis gossypii is known as a pest in greenhouses, but our study shows that it occurs also in the field, even far in the north. The novel information on aphid phenology and ecology has wide implications for prospective pest management, particularly in light of climate change.     

Bacteria may contribute to distant species recognition in ant–aphid mutualistic relationships

Mutualistic interactions between ant and aphid species have been the subject of considerable historical and contemporary investigations, the primary benefits being cleaning and protection for the aphids and carbohydrate‐rich honeydew for the ants. Questions remained, however, as to the volatile semiochemical factor influencing this relationship. A recent study highlighted the role of bacterial honeydew volatile compounds in ant attraction. Here, ant's ability to distantly discriminate 2 aphid species was investigated based on bacterial honeydew semiochemicals emissions using a two‐way olfactometer. Both the mutualistic aphid Aphis fabae L. and the nonmyrmecophilous aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris were found to be attractive for the ant Lasius niger L. The level of attraction was similar in both assays (control vs. one of the aphid species). However, when given a choice between these 2 aphid species, ants showed a significant preference for Aphis fabae. Honeydew volatiles, mostly from bacterial origins, are known to be a key element in ant attraction. Using the same olfactometry protocol, the relative attractiveness of volatiles emitted by honeydews collected from each aphid species and by bacteria isolated from each honeydew was investigated. Again, ants significantly preferred volatiles released by Aphis fabae honeydew and bacteria. This information suggests that microbial honeydew volatiles enable ants to distantly discriminate aphid species. These results strengthen the interest of studying the occurrence and potential impact of microorganisms in insect symbioses.     

Vector activity of three aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) modulated by host plant selection behaviour on potato (Solanales: Solanaceae)

Viral diseases non-persistently transmitted by aphids are of great economic importance in several annual crops. Transmission efficiency of these non-persistent phytoviruses is dependant on vector efficiency (i.e. vector intrinsic ability to transmit the virus) but also on the vector activity that implies the early steps of aphid host plant selection process (i.e. brief intracellular stylet punctures after landing) and to their interplant movement ability. In Europe, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas 1878) is considered as one of the most serious virus vectors on potato (Solanum tuberosum L. 1753). Nevertheless, several alate aphid species that do not colonise potato plants are trapped in potato crops. Therefore, we investigated, through laboratory experiments, vector activity of one potato colonising aphid, M. euphorbiae, and two non-colonising potato aphids, the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L. 1758) and the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris 1776). A settling experiment was used to evaluate dispersal activity, and the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique was used to investigate probing activity on potato plants. Results showed that M. euphorbiae exhibited a better vector activity than other two aphid species in terms of landing and probing. By contrast, interplant movements were only recorded on non-colonising aphids, suggesting a better vector activity than M. euphorbiae in terms of locomotive behaviour. These data confirm the involvement of A. pisum and R. padi in the spread of non-persistent viruses.     

Comparison of resistance to potyviruses within Solanaceae: infection of potatoes with tobacco etch potyvirus and peppers with potato A and Y potyviruses

The reaction of several cultivated potato varieties (Solarium tuberosum L.) to three strains of tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV-F, TEV-Mex21 and TEV-ATCC) and the reaction of several pepper lines (Capsicum annuum L. and C. chinense L.) to two strains of potato Y potyvirus (PVY^O and PVY^N) and one strain of potato A potyvirus (PVA-M) was tested. The potato varieties included in this study carried resistance genes against PVY, PVA and potato V potyvirus, but all were susceptible to TEV and developed mottle and mosaic symptoms. TEV was readily transmitted by mechanical inoculation from tobacco and potato to potato, whereas transmission from pepper to potato occurred infrequently. TEV was transmitted through potato tubers, and from pepper to potato plants by aphids. Lack of detectable systemic infection following graft-inoculation indicated extreme resistance to PVY^O and PVA in several pepper lines. No pepper line was systemically infected with PVY^N following mechanical inoculation (graft-inoculation was not carried out with PVY^N). The development of necrotic lesions following mechanical and graft-inoculation indicated hypersensitive response to PVY^O in several pepper lines which resembled the resistance responses to these potyvirus strains in potato. Results of this study together with previous work indicate that C. annuum cv. Avelar is resistant to four potyviruses [PVY, PVA, pepper mottle potyvirus (PepMoV) and some isolates of TEV]; C. annuum cv. Criollo de Morelos and C. chinense PI 152225 and PI 159236 are resistant to three potyviruses (PVY, PepMoV and PVA; and PVY, PepMoV and TEV, respectively); C. annuum 9093–1 and 92016–1 are resistant to PVY and PepMoV; and C. annuum cv. Jupiter and C. annuum cv. RNaky are resistant to PVY^N and PVA.