Incidence of Potato Virus “Y” and Aphid Flights in Potato (Brașov, 2014-2016)

Abstract

This study aimed to provide updated information on incidence of PVY in seed potatoes (Carrera, Red Lady, Hermes, Riviera, Christian and Roclas varieties) produced in trials at Braşov, where the aphids flight was monitored three years (2014, 2015 and 2016). Another goal of this research was to identify the symptoms of PVY infected material, find positive by ELISA tests in the previous year’s crops. The highest level of PVY and PVYN infection was observed in 2015 for all potato varieties planted in the lot trials. In 2015, the periods of prolonged drought in July and August were responsible for the high incidence of PVY in the potato trials studied, compared with the infection level of the material in the other two years (2014 and 2016). There were some deviations in 2015 concerning to abundance and dynamics of aphid population, potentially PVY vectors. The peak period for aphid attack was the third decade of May - the first decade of June, a very vulnerable period for potato crop. In this year, aphid activity significantly offset the general trend. Experiments conducted in Braşov indicate that many PVY infected plants did not visually express symptoms and could be a good inoculum ready for the time when aphids vectors are typically at their highest levels.