Valuing Disease Prevention in a Vegetatively Propagated Annual Crop: Benefits From the Montana Seed Potato Certification Program

Abstract

We examine the economic costs of potato virus Y (PVY) and benefits to commercial potato growers from using screened seed. To do so, we use a quantile regression model to explore disease spread. We use this model to predict disease prevalence and corresponding losses in commercial potato operations with and without a screening and certification program in place. Our analysis suggests that this screening is very important; the amount of PVY in seed in the summer test is the strongest predictor of PVY in the winter test of the variables in our model. The amount of PVY in the seed can have major effects on commercial potato grower revenues and profitability. Using data and models from Idaho, a major purchaser of Montana seed, we estimate the annual benefit from Montana’s program to Idaho to average $205 per acre or $22 million for the state. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

Potato virus X: A global potato‐infecting virus and type member of the Potexvirus genus

“…The most effective methods for controlling PVX are through incorporating disease resistance genes into potato varieties and through certified seed programmes that test for and eliminate virus‐contaminated potato seed from future planting stocks (Fuller et al, 2020). Stem cuttings and micropropagation technologies have been used to develop virus‐free planting stocks that are then used to produce clean seeds.…”

Approved Genetically Modified Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) for Improved Stress Resistance and Food Safety

“…The virus stays in the aphid stylet, and aphids are viruliferous only for a short period of time (minutes to tens of minutes) . For this type of virus transmission, the usage of pesticides is inefficient because the aphid can spread the virus to a healthy plant before it dies. , On the other hand, the transmission of PLRV is more complicated. The infection could be introduced by planting infected potatoes or an insect vector.…”

“…These oils are capable of interfering with aphid feeding and virus transmission; however, phytotoxic activity was observed . There are also substances that are able to make a physical barrier to stylet penetration . To minimize PVY infection, different planting strategies can be used (such as planting a non-host border crop around the potato crop) …”

“…The essential way to reduce the virus spreading is the crop screening programs and destruction of infected plants. 64 When PVY O was the dominant strain, potato tuber certification was mainly based on visual inspections before 2000, because this strain induces visible mosaic foliar disease in many cultivars. 47 Today, the situation is completely different as a result of new recombinant strains that show only mild and often transient foliar symptoms.…”

“… 66 There are also substances that are able to make a physical barrier to stylet penetration. 64 To minimize PVY infection, different planting strategies can be used (such as planting a non-host border crop around the potato crop). 66 …”