Virus transmission by aphids in potato crops

Abstract

This paper reviews the contribution of vector activity and plant age to virus spread in potato crops. Determining which aphid species are vectors is particularly important for timing haulm destruction to minimize tuber infection by potato virus Y (PVY). Alate aphids of more than 30 species transmit PVY, and aphids such as Rhopalosiphum padi, that migrate in large numbers before flights of the more efficient vector, Myzus persicae, appear to be important vectors. Differences in methodology, aphid biotypes and virus strains prevent direct comparisons between estimates of vector efficiencies obtained for aphids in different countries in north western Europe.M. persicae is also the most efficient vector of potato leafroll virus (PLRV), but some clones of Macrosiphum euphorbiae transmit PLRV efficiently to Nicotiana clevelandii and potato test plants.The removal of infected plants early in the season prevents the spread of PLRV in cool regions with limited vector activity. The proportion of aphids acquiring PLRV from infected potato plants decreases with plant age, and healthy potato plants are more resistant to infection later in the season. Severe symptoms of secondary leafroll developed on progeny plants of cv. Marls Piper derived from mother plants inoculated with PLRV in June or July of the previous year. Progeny plants derived from mother plants inoculated in August showed only mild symptoms, but the concentration of PLRV in these plants was as high as that in the plants with severe symptoms.

Innovative Approaches towards Aphid Resistance Prevention in Brassica Crops

“…In contrast, spread of PLRV from within-field sources can be interrupted because of the extended post-acquisition latent period before an aphid can transmit [59][60][61] . Systemic insecticides applied at planting or plant emergence can reduce within-field spread of PLRV significantly [60][61][62][63] . Such timing gives the greatest benefit in locations where migrant aphids are rarely viruliferous.…”

The effects of monitoring the abundance and species composition of aphids as virus vectors on seed potato production in Serbia

“…They are far more important and damaging as vectors of potato viruses (van Hoof, 1980;Harrington et al, 1986;Piron, 1986;de Bokx, 1987;de Bokx and van der Want, 1987;Weidemann, 1988;Flanders et al 1991;Woodford, 1992;Thomas, 1997;Stevenson, 2001;Sigvald and Hulle, 2004;King et al, 2004;Saucke and Döring, 2004;Milošević et al 2011). Potato viruses are transmitted by winged or wingless forms of both adult aphids and larvae (Robert, 1971, cit.…”

Prospects for improving potato crop protection against aphid vectors

“…Furk et al (1990) interestingly showed that in England, R2 and R3 aphids virtually disappear during the winter from autumn-sown oil seed rape, according to winter hardness. The third need is undoubtedly to continue to develop efficient monitoring and forecasting systems, particularly in seed production areas, to assist the farmer with fixing planting dates where agronomically possible, with deciding to use granules or wait for foliar sprays according to whether the risk from aphid and virus can be forecast early before plant emergence and with estimating virus infection risks in relation to aphid species catches in different kinds of traps and plant age (Woodford, 1992), to decide for an optimum haulm killing date.…”