Two years ago, the Potato Research Advisory Committee (PRAC) identified and wrote letters of support for a project known as the Potato Virus Initiative: Developing Solutions.

The researchers received money from the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) to further their research on the management of two potato tuber necrosis viruses: PVY and PMTV. This project’s key goals are to improve disease diagnosis, viral detection, and strain typing.

Over the last two years, the research team has successfully optimized tools and conditions for direct tuber testing for PVY.

“This advancement will expedite the certification process and help the industry swiftly identify and remove PVY-infected seed lots from the system. Now, the research is focused on developing management tactics and techniques to prevent the in-season spread of PVY,” according to a recent Potatoes USA release.

The team is working on its next set of goals, which is to uncover causes of resistance to PMTV and powdery scab. To do this, they used a greenhouse-based screening process to select PMTV-resistant potato lines. These discoveries are expected to have a significant influence on avoiding PMTV infections during the breeding phase.

“Consistent with PRAC’s overarching objective, this project aims to integrate grower education based on the research outcomes identified. Impressively, this project demonstrated robust outreach efforts. In the 2022 growing season, the team held three field days in Maine, Wisconsin, and Washington. Demonstration plots were set up to show visual symptoms of three PVY strains in about 30 potato cultivars. The selection of potato cultivars reflected regional preferences for each of the three locations. These demonstration plots were very popular with the growers and generated much interest and attention from the industry,” the Potatoes USA representatives wrote.

Furthermore, the research findings of the project have been presented and discussed at national, regional, and state meetings around the country. The project’s website and social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter, provide information, articles, videos, and updates.

“In the future, the team anticipates developing a series of recommendations to mitigate the in-season spread of PVY and PMTV, enhance detection and diagnostic methods for certification agencies, and identify new sources of resistance to PMTV and powdery scab for the benefit of the industry,” the report concludes.