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Title: VECTOR DISTRIBUTION AND EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PLRV ARE BOTH AFFECTED BY AN ALTERNATIVE HOST IN IDAHO

Author
item ALVEREZ, J - UNIV. OF IDAHO
item SRINIVASAN, R - UNIV. OF IDAHO
item BOSQUE-PEREZ, N - UNIV. OF IDAHO
item EIGENBRODE, S - UNIV. OF IDAHO
item PANTOJA, ALBERTO

Submitted to: International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2005
Publication Date: 4/4/2005
Citation: Alverez, J.M., Srinivasan, R., Bosque-Perez, N.A., Eigenbrode, S.D., Pantoja, A. 2005. Vector distribution and epidemiology of plrv are both affected by an alternative host in idaho. International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium. Program Abstracts page 35

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Even the most intense aphid control strategies may not prevent the spread of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) unless measures are also taken to keep virus-source plants within and outside the crop (volunteers and weeds) at a minimum. Hairy nightshade, Solanum sarrachoides is a solanaceous weed abundantly distributed in potato ecosystems of Idaho, the largest potato producing state in the U.S. It is a preferred host for green peach aphid (GPA) Myzus persicae, considered the most effective vector of PLRV. Our laboratory experiments confirmed that GPA can transmit PLRV to hairy nightshade and that non-viruliferous aphids can become viruliferous after feeding on infected nightshades. We investigated whether PLRV-infected nightshades would attract GPA and also how this attraction would compare with the one produced by infected potatoes. Field trials were conducted to study the role of S. sarrachoides on vector distribution and PLRV epidemiology. Aphid counts and disease progression were monitored at weekly intervals. Results revealed that plots with nightshades recorded an increased number of aphids and also had higher number of PLRV infected potato plants. A preference study revealed increased preference of winged GPA to PLRV-infected S. sarrachoides. Field-collected nightshade plants were also found to carry PLRV and in other viruses such as PVY and PVX. Our findings thereby suggest that S. sarrachoides might play a major role in the epidemiology of PLRV in the potato ecosystem.