ISHS Acta Horticulturae 619: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Potatoes, Healthy Food for Humanity: International Developments in Breeding, Production, Protection and Utilization
A 12-YEAR REVIEW OF ELISA MONITORING OF MAJOR POTATO VIRUSES IN DORMANT SEED-TUBERS IN BRAZIL |
| Authors: | J.A. Caram de Souza-Dias, J.A. Betti |
| Keywords: | Solanum tuberosum, PVS, PVY, PLRV, diagnoses, virus indexing, certification |
| Abstract:
The potato industry in Brazil produces 2,700,000 ton/yr on 170.000 ha in 3 main seasons. Local seed-potato production (230,000 ton/yr) is partially dependent on imported seed (6-8,000 ton/yr). The principle challenge of local seed multiplication is the rapid virus accumulation in seed lots through each generation, whether disease free seed stocks are imported or started from tissue culture locally. Pressure of aphids (many species) and viruses (mainly PVY and PLRV) are high throughout the year. The value of disease free seed for seed production (US$ 1/kg) leads seed producers to voluntarily seek Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) ELISA services before deciding the use of their production: seed or consumption (> 75%). This service started in 1989 with kits of polyclonal IgG and conjugates being purchased from major international suppliers or locally from EMBRAPA-CNPH, Brasilia-DF. Nearly 70,000 tests/yr have been performed for PLRV and PVY with fewer tests for PVX, PVS and PVA. Records show PVY (races O and N) surpass historical PLRV incidence since the mid 1990's. PVX and PVA have been absent. PVS was present in over 80% of a last year imported 'Atlantic' seed lot; thus, tubers produced were used exclusively for processing. Over the past 12 years, the lab has been receiving an increasing number of samples. Besides developing the capability for tuber-eye testing the lab has developed alternative low cost devices for quick and accurate sap extraction and microplate washings systems. These methods have been adopted by other potato virology labs in Brazil and might be useful as alternative low cost ELISA methods for other developing countries. | |
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