Molecular characterization of potato leafroll virus, potato virus A, and potato virus X isolates from potatoes in Alaskan cities and villages

Authors: ROBERTSON, NANCY; SMEENK, JEFFREY - UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA; ANDERSON, JODIE - UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/17/2011
Publication Date: 2/9/2011
Citation: Robertson, N.L., Smeenk, J., Anderson, J. 2011. Molecular Characterization of Potato Leafroll virus, Potato virus A, and Potato virus X Isolates from Potatoes in Alaskan Cities and Villages. Plant Health Progress. Available: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/php/.

Interpretive Summary: Commercialized potatoes in Alaska are mainly grown in the Matanuska Valley, Tanana Valley and Delta Junction, and are routinely monitored for viruses and pests. In contrast, non-commercial potato production sites occurring throughout Alaska are rarely scrutinized for diseases. In addition, virtually no information has been reported on the molecular aspects of Alaskan potato viruses and their relatedness to potato viruses outside of Alaska. Typically, these viruses are found wherever potatoes are grown in the world. Positive results from 12 sites included plants infected with several potato viruses; Potato latent virus was not detected. Molecular confirmation of the viruses was completed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The most prevalent potato virus detected in this survey and in the world is PVX. It is mechanically transmitted from plant to plant by leaves touching, potato machinery, and planting infected tubers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of molecular data and phylogenetic analyses for potato viruses occurring in Alaska. The resulting molecular data obtained from Alaskan isolates provide a time reference and genetic baseline for future phylogenetic studies.

Technical Abstract: Commercialized potatoes in Alaska are mainly grown in the Matanuska Valley, Tanana Valley and Delta Junction, and are routinely monitored for viruses and pests. In contrast, non-commercial potato production sites occurring throughout Alaska are rarely scrutinized for diseases. In addition, virtually no information has been reported on the molecular aspects of Alaskan potato viruses and their relatedness to potato viruses outside of Alaska. Typically, these viruses are found wherever potatoes are grown in the world (4). Positive results from 12 sites included plants infected with PLRV, PVX, and PVA (potyvirus); PotLV was not detected. Molecular confirmation of the viruses was completed by RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) with appropriate primers for PLRV (3), PVA (1), and PVX (2). The most prevalent potato virus detected in this survey and in the world is PVX. It has no known vector, and is mechanically transmitted from plant to plant by leaves touching, potato machinery, and planting infected tubers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of molecular data and phylogenetic analyses for potato viruses occurring in Alaska. The resulting molecular data obtained from PLRV, PVA, and PVX Alaskan isolates provide a time reference and genetic baseline for future phylogenetic studies.