The intensity of Potato virus Y (Pvy) infection in different localities of West Serbia and its importance to seed potato production

Abstract

Y potato virus (Potato virus Y, PVY) has been studied on different localities of the West Serbia. Study results indicated the most intensive infection of Y potato virus in the localities of Guca and Kaona of 54,0% and 47,4%, respectively, and the least intensive one in that of Javor of only 2,9%. The potato cultivar, Jaerla, was found to be mostly infected with Y virus of 51,5%, followed by Ostara, 46,1% and Desiree, 40,4%. In addition to being intensively spread, Y potato virus was also found to be of necrotic strain (PVY^N–tobacco veinal necrosis strain) as manifested by the mosaic of secondary infested potato plants. Simultaneously, ringlike necrosis was also found to be infesting the potato plants. Leaf aphids were found to be the most significant and exclusive vectors of some viruses. The research results indicated 42 species of aphids in the localities Guca, Kaona and Javor over 2–year study. Green peach aphid Myzus persicae stands out as the most efficient vector of the potato virus and its degree of infestation was positively correlated with the number and activity of aphids.