ARS | Publication request: Managing diseases caused by viruses, viroids, and phytoplasmas

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: July 6, 2006
Publication Date: November 1, 2007
Citation: Crosslin, J., Hamm, P.B., Pike, K.S., Mowry, T.M., Nolte, P., Mojtahedi, H. 2007. Managing diseases caused by viruses, viroids, and phytoplasmas. Book Chapter. Pages 161-169 in: Potato Health Management, 2nd ediiton. D.A. Johnson, editor. APS Press.

Technical Abstract: Plant viruses and virus-like pathogens are of considerable economic importance in potato production. The plant viruses and viroids are small, noncellular pathogens. In contrast, phytoplasmas are cellular organisms. In this chapter, information is presented on a number of virus and virus-like pathogens of potatoes including Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), Tobacco rattle virus (TRV), Potato virus A (PVA), Potato virus S, Potato virus M, Potato virus X (PVX), Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Potato mop top virus (PMTV), potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), and phytoplasmas. The primary source of initial inoculum of most of these pathogens is the seed piece. The importance of planting clean seed is discussed. Additionally, most of the virus and virus-like pathogens are transmitted from plant to plant via insect vectors. The most important of these insects are aphids and leafhoppers. Reducing the impact of these pathogens by controlling the insect vectors is discussed.