Scotland: Controlling Aphid Numbers and Combat Viral Infection Levels in Seed Potato Crops
Supplier of fresh, frozen, and chilled potatoes, Albert Bartlett, has formed a partnership with Fera Science Ltd in a bid to control aphid numbers and combat viral infection levels in seed potato crops across Scotland.
Potato plants stunted by aphids may produce fewer tubers with worse quality. Common viruses that are carried by aphids, like Potato Virus Y (PVY) and Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV), can reduce crop yields in ware crops by 50%.
Because of milder winters that have caused aphids to take flight earlier and a decrease in the number of approved and efficient insecticides available for use in seed crops, the pressure from aphids carrying viruses has intensified in recent years.
For the 2024 seed potato growing season, forty-five growers volunteered to participate in the Albert Bartlett-funded monitoring program. Each grower was required to return up to ten sampling traps for analysis during the growing season. Fera will identify, count, and report the different types of aphids each week, along with the danger of virus transmission.
“Understanding the presence of the aphid species present is fundamental to determining the risk of virus transmission, allowing seed growers to target the use of the limited number of insecticides available,” Will Jackson of Albert Bartlett said.
The website of the program provides weekly updates that growers can use to view their aphid results as well as those of other participants. Growers have the option to subscribe to a range of text and email alerts offered by Fera.
“Investing in the aphid monitoring scheme in 2024 will help safeguard the health status of the potato seed supplied to ware growers across the UK in 2025,” Jackson added.
Aphids are small sap-sucking insects whose common names include greenfly and blackfly. Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions. As well as weakening plants by sucking sap, they also provide transmission for the growth of plant viruses. Females breed profusely so that the number of these insects multiplies quickly – while winged females often develop later in the season, allowing colonization of new plants. Because of their ability to increase their numbers quickly, they are highly successful insects from an ecological point of view.
Control of aphids is difficult – in part because aphids often feed on the undersides of leaves. Natural enemies include predatory ladybirds, hoverfly larvae, and parasitic wasps.
