Potato leafroll virus

Definition

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) is a member of the Polerovirus genus within the family Luteoviridae, primarily affecting potatoes and other solanaceous plants. This virus is significant due to its role in causing economic losses in potato crops by inducing symptoms such as leaf rolling, yellowing, and stunted growth, which severely impact yield and quality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. PLRV is transmitted primarily by aphids in a persistent manner, meaning once an aphid acquires the virus, it can transmit it for life.
2. Symptoms of PLRV infection include upward leaf curling, yellowing of the leaves, and stunted plant growth, which can lead to significant economic losses for farmers.
3. The virus can be spread not just through aphid vectors but also through infected seed potatoes, making control measures essential in agriculture.
4. Management strategies for PLRV include using resistant potato varieties, controlling aphid populations, and implementing crop rotation practices to minimize disease spread.
5. PLRV is found worldwide and poses a significant threat to potato production, especially in areas where aphid populations are high.

Review Questions

• How does potato leafroll virus affect potato plants and what are the visible symptoms of infection?
  • Potato leafroll virus causes a variety of detrimental effects on potato plants. The most noticeable symptoms include upward curling of leaves, yellowing between the veins, and overall stunting of plant growth. These symptoms not only reduce the aesthetic value of the crops but also significantly impact their yield and quality, leading to economic losses for farmers.
• Discuss the role of vector transmission in the spread of potato leafroll virus and its implications for disease management.
  • Vector transmission plays a crucial role in spreading potato leafroll virus, with aphids being the primary vectors responsible for its dissemination. Understanding this mode of transmission is essential for effective disease management strategies. Farmers can implement control measures such as monitoring aphid populations and using insecticides to reduce the likelihood of PLRV spread among potato crops.
• Evaluate the potential long-term impacts of potato leafroll virus on global potato production and food security.
  • The long-term impacts of potato leafroll virus on global potato production could be significant. As this virus can lead to substantial yield losses and reduced quality, it threatens food security, especially in regions where potatoes are a staple food. Increased pressure on farmers to control PLRV through resistant varieties and effective pest management could escalate production costs. In areas heavily reliant on potatoes for nutrition and income, unchecked PLRV could exacerbate food shortages and economic instability.

Related terms

Polerovirus: A genus of viruses within the family Luteoviridae, characterized by their ability to cause chronic infections in host plants.

Luteoviridae: A family of viruses that primarily infects plants, known for their small, encapsulated RNA genomes and ability to induce persistent infections.

Vector transmission: The process by which viruses are spread from one host to another through vectors, often aphids in the case of plant viruses like PLRV.