Molecular Identification of Viruses Responsible for Severe Symptoms on Potato (Solanum sp.) growing in Assiut Governorate (Upper Egypt)

Abstract

Cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum spp. tuberosum) is the world’s third most important food crop [19]. In Egypt, potato is considered as one of the most economic crops [15]. The cultivated area in Egypt is 178000 ha producing 4800000 tons [16]. Potato crops are being infected with many viruses which lead to great losses in potato production worldwide. More than 25 viruses have been reported to infect potato worldwide [8] and incur considerable yield losses in potato production, especially in African countries [29]. The average yield in African countries is 11800 Kg/ha compared to the world average yield of 16419Kg/ha, this reduction is mainly due to viral pathogens and other plant pathogens [29]. Among these viruses, Potato virus Y (PVY) and Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) are being considered responsible for great losses in potato production annually. PVY has the potential to reduce potato yields up to 80% [23]. In Egypt, infection with PVY and/or AMV is being considered as one of the most limiting factor of potato production [14, 15, 17]. PVY has been isolated from several locations in Egypt since 1970 and causing devastating disease in potatoes [4]. While, AMV appears in potato fields in several potato production area in Egypt [15, 17].