A leaf roll virus control program in Idaho's seed potato areas

Abstract

An area leaf roll virus control program was initiated by certified seed potato growers in Caribou County, Idaho in 1961 and became fully organized in 1963. This program consisted of early season control of the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulz.), on garden transplants and in home gardens, removal of winter hosts of this insect, and formulation of strict requirements for handling seed stocks for certification. Seed lots with more than a trace of leaf roll virus (0.1%) declined from 18.7% in the 1957–1961 period to 0% in the 1962–1965 period. Green peach aphid numbers showed a similar decline. Weather conditions, unfavorable for green peach aphid development in 1963 and 1964, probably contributed to the success of the program. Leaf roll virus incidence and green peach aphid numbers have declined in other Idaho seed potato producing areas where similar programs have been adopted.