Potato virus S causes mild or no symptoms in most potato varieties. It is common in potatoes in many regions and sometime cause 10-20% of yield losses (no reference). Field-grown potatoes are not routinely screened for this virus because it is not considered economically important, but it is still included into seed potato tests. Why? Is there any reports about significant harm caused by PVS?
Although potato virus S causes mild symptoms losses up to 20% has been documented. This concerns me as Alex seems to share. Ideally the potato reproduction systems need a modification. One alternative would be to have a virus S certification program. Since S and some other varieties are not botanically seed borne it may be feasible to conceive that potatoes could be bred as hybrids and the use of true seed employed. In the crop of potatoes 10 to 20% can be an enormous amount of potatoes. This issue needs more confirmation and exploration of innovative ways to address it.
I guess they screen them for statisitcal reasons. The financial losses can be up to $1500/ ha, so it can be quite significant. I don't know why the problem is not addressed by using disease-free seed to grow the seed tubers, but even if you had a certification program and virus free seed, you would still have enough apids around to cause new infections. I have attached a thesis which might give us some clues.
Friederike I see some of the Tansmania fields have up to 60% potato way too much.
Paul Reed Hepperly
Friederike Susette Eberhard Thank you for your opinion and send information. PVS is now wide-spread in our region, it is increasing in potato seeds generations, and I see that it must be a special program for prevention spreading of the virus.
I'd like to share also my thoughts with you as a plant virus employee. I am sometimes on the horns of a dilemma for some virus importance such kind of PVS, GFkV and so on. There are even records on their caused yield losses. However, how much are they significant when compared with major harmful organisms? Are they important according to a plant pathologist? or are they more important according to a plant virologist? or are they the most important pathogen according to a potato virologist? Their caused yield losses are also a question mark for me. These losses can be true in experimental conditions. However, in nature do they induce so considerable losses among major harmful organisms and biodiversity? According to me, in all most suitable conditions (susceptible variety, aggressive strain, suitable environment and the other suitable condition such as absence of any other harmful organisms and organisms), they may be important.
Dear All,
thank you for your opinions! I can assume that the major threat of PVS and other latent viruses - in creation of susceptible background for some other virus introduction.
I wish you all a Happy New Year 2019!
Alex
December 23, 2018: "I can assume that the major threat of PVS and other latent viruses - in the creation of susceptible background for some other virus introduction."
Recent data show that it was a correct conclusion.
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