The incidence of Mop-Top and Aucuba potato viruses in several Romanian areas (preliminary studies)

Abstract

PMTV (Potato Mop-Top Virus ) an PAMV (Potato Aucuba Mosaic Virus) are new Romanian damaging pathogens of potato crop. They can cause serious reduced yield and decrease of the tuber’s quality. In case of these viruses, infected plants do not allways show symptoms and symptom depends on potato cultivar, virus strain and the environment. PMTV and PAMV infection of material plants can produce spraing in tubers of sensitive varieties. PMTV cause heavy losses in northen Europe and it is very difficult to control. Foliar symptoms include bright yellow blotch (Aucuba), a ’V’-shaped yellow pattern, deformed leaves and internode shortening. PAMV is a helping virus for devlopment of dangerous potyvirus like Potato Virus Y (PVY). Elimination of all these pathogens from potato supply is essential for potato production and the choice of resistant varieties to the infection with these viruses could be one of the measures recommended for farmers and producers. The results of this preliminary study show that PMTV and PAMV were not found in the material collected from the following varieties: Armonia, Azaria, Christian, Cosiana and Millenium (samples collected from the counties Braşov, Covasna, Harghita, Suceava in 2019 and 2020).