Potato leafroll virus reduces Buchnera aphidocola titer and alters vector transcriptome responses.

Viruses in the Luteoviridae family, such as Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), are transmitted by aphids in a circulative and nonpropagative mode. This means the virions enter the aphid body through the gut when they feed from infected plants and then the virions circulate through the hemolymph to enter the salivary glands before being released into the saliva. Although these viruses do not replicate in their insect vectors, previous studies have demonstrated viruliferous aphid behavior is altered and the obligate symbiont of aphids, Buchnera aphidocola, may be involved in transmission. Here we provide the transcriptome of green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) carrying PLRV and virus-free control aphids using Illumina sequencing. Over 150 million paired-end reads were obtained through Illumina sequencing, with an average of 19 million reads per library. The comparative analysis identified 134 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the M. persicae transcriptomes, including 64 and 70 genes that were up- and down-regulated in aphids carrying PLRV, respectively. Using functional classification in the GO databases, 80 of the DEGs were assigned to 391 functional subcategories at category level 2. The most highly up-regulated genes in aphids carrying PLRV were cytochrome p450s, genes related to cuticle production, and genes related to development, while genes related to heat shock proteins, histones, and histone modification were the most down-regulated. PLRV aphids had reduced Buchnera titer and lower abundance of several Buchnera transcripts related to stress responses and metabolism. These results suggest carrying PLRV may reduce both aphid and Buchnera genes in response to stress. This work provides valuable basis for further investigation into the complicated mechanisms of circulative and nonpropagative transmission.

Virus and helper component interactions favour the transmission of recombinant potato virus Y strains.

In recent years, several recombinant strains of potato virus Y, notably PVYNTN and PVYN:O have displaced the ordinary strain, PVYO, and emerged as the predominant strains affecting the USA potato crop. Previously we reported that recombinant strains were transmitted more efficiently than PVYO when they were acquired sequentially, regardless of acquisition order. In another recent study, we showed that PVYNTN binds preferentially to the aphid stylet over PVYO when aphids feed on a mixture of PVYO and PVYNTN. To understand the mechanism of this transmission bias as well as preferential virus binding, we separated virus and active helper component proteins (HC), mixed them in homologous and heterologous combinations, and then fed them to aphids using Parafilm sachets. Mixtures of PVYO HC with either PVYN:O or PVYNTN resulted in efficient transmission. PVYN:O HC also facilitated the transmission of PVYO and PVYNTN, albeit with reduced efficiency. PVYNTN HC failed to facilitate transmission of either PVYO or PVYN:O. When PVYO HC or PVYN:O HC was mixed with equal amounts of the two viruses, both viruses in all combinations were transmitted at high efficiencies. In contrast, no transmission occurred when combinations of viruses were mixed with PVYNTN HC. Further study evaluated transmission using serial dilutions of purified virus mixed with HCs. While PVYNTN HC only facilitated the transmission of the homologous virus, the HCs of PVYO and PVYN:O facilitated the transmission of all strains tested. This phenomenon has likely contributed to the increase in the recombinant strains affecting the USA potato crop.

Different potato virus Y strains frequently co-localize in single epidermal leaf cells and in the aphid stylet.

Single aphids can simultaneously or sequentially acquire and transmit multiple potato virus Y (PVY) strains. Multiple PVY strains are often found in the same field and occasionally within the same plant, but little is known about how PVY strains interact in plants or in aphid stylets. Immuno-staining and confocal microscopy were used to examine the spatial and temporal dynamics of PVY strain mixtures (PVYO and PVYNTN or PVYO and PVYN) in epidermal leaf cells of 'Samsun NN' tobacco and 'Goldrush' potato. Virus binding and localization was also examined in aphid stylets following acquisition. Both strains systemically infected tobacco and co-localized in cells of all leaves examined; however, the relative amounts of each virus changed over time. Early in the tobacco infection, when mosaic symptoms were observed, PVYO dominated the infection although PVYNTN was detected in some cells. As the infection progressed and vein necrosis developed, PVYNTN was prevalent. Co-localization of PVYO and PVYN was also observed in epidermal cells of potato leaves with most cells infected with both viruses. Furthermore, two strains could be detected binding to the distal end of aphid stylets following virus acquisition from a plant infected with a strain mixture. These data are in contrast with the traditional belief of spatial separation of two closely related potyviruses and suggest apparent non-antagonistic interaction between PVY strains that could help explain the multitude of emerging recombinant PVY strains discovered in potato in recent years.

Characterization of distinct strains of an aphid-transmitted ilarvirus (Fam. Bromoviridae) infecting different hosts from South America.

Potato yellowing virus (PYV, original code SB-22), an unassigned member of the Genus Ilarvirus Family Bromoviridae, has been reported infecting potatoes in Peru, Ecuador and Chile. It is associated with symptomless infections, however yellowing of young leaves has been observed in some potato cultivars. Thirteen potato and yacon isolates were selected after routine screening of CIP-germplasm and twenty-four were identified from 994 potato plants collected in Peru whereas one was intercepted from yacon in the UK. These isolates were identified using high throughput sequencing, ELISA, host range and RT-PCR. Here we report the sequence characterization of the complete genomes of nine PYV isolates found infecting Solanum tuberosum, four complete genome isolates infecting Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon), and in addition 15 complete RNA3 sequences from potato and partial sequences of RNA1, 2 and 3 of isolates infecting potato and yacon from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Results of phylogenetic and recombination analysis showed RNA3 to be the most variable among the virus isolates and suggest potato infecting isolates have resulted through acquisition of a movement protein variant through recombination with an unknown but related ilarvirus, whereas one yacon isolate from Bolivia also had resulted from a recombination event with another related viruses in the same region. Yacon isolates could be distinguished from potato isolates by their inability to infect Physalis floridana, and potato isolates from Ecuador and Peru could be distinguished by their symptomatology in this host as well as phylogenetically. The non-recombinant yacon isolates were closely related to a recently described isolate from Solanum muricatum (pepino dulce), and all isolates were related to Fragaria chiloensis latent virus (FCiLV) reported in strawberry from Chile, and probably should be considered the same species. Although PYV is not serologically related to Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), they are both transmitted by aphids and share several other characteristics that support the previous suggestion to reclassify AMV as a member in the genus Ilarvirus.

Extreme resistance to Potato virus Y in potato carrying the Rysto gene is mediated by a TIR-NLR immune receptor.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is a major potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) pathogen that causes severe annual crop losses worth billions of dollars worldwide. PVY is transmitted by aphids, and successful control of virus transmission requires the extensive use of environmentally damaging insecticides to reduce vector populations. Rysto , from the wild relative S. stoloniferum, confers extreme resistance (ER) to PVY and related viruses and is a valuable trait that is widely employed in potato resistance breeding programmes. Rysto was previously mapped to a region of potato chromosome XII, but the specific gene has not been identified to date. In this study, we isolated Rysto using resistance gene enrichment sequencing (RenSeq) and PacBio SMRT (Pacific Biosciences single-molecule real-time sequencing). Rysto was found to encode a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) protein with an N-terminal TIR domain and was sufficient for PVY perception and ER in transgenic potato plants. Rysto -dependent extreme resistance was temperature-independent and requires EDS1 and NRG1 proteins. Rysto may prove valuable for creating PVY-resistant cultivars of potato and other Solanaceae crops.

A polerovirus, Potato leafroll virus, alters plant-vector interactions using three viral proteins.

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae, is a major pathogen of potato worldwide. PLRV is transmitted among host plants by aphids in a circulative-nonpropagative manner. Previous studies have demonstrated that PLRV infection increases aphid fecundity on, and attraction to, infected plants as compared to controls. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating this relationship are still poorly understood. In this study, we measured the impact of PLRV infection on plant-aphid interactions and plant chemistry in two hosts: Solanum tuberosum and Nicotiana benthamiana. Our study demonstrates that PLRV infection attenuates the induction of aphid-induced jasmonic acid and ethylene in S. tuberosum and N. benthamiana. Using transient expression experiments, insect bioassays and chemical analysis, we show that expression of three PLRV proteins (P0, P1, and P7) mediate changes in plant-aphid interactions and inhibition of aphid-induced jasmonic acid and ethylene in N. benthamiana. This study enhances our understanding of the plant-vector-pathogen interface by elucidating new mechanisms by which plant viruses transmitted in a circulative manner can manipulate plant hosts.

Newly Distinguished Cell Punctures Associated with Transmission of the Semipersistent Phloem-Limited Beet Yellows Virus.

Here we report on plant penetration activities (probing) by the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) in association with the transmission, acquisition, and inoculation of the semipersistent Beet yellows virus (BYV; Closterovirus) in sugar beet. During electrical penetration graph (EPG) recording of stylet pathways, standard intracellular stylet punctures occur which are called potential drop (pd) waveforms. In addition to the standard pd, there also appeared to be a unique type of intracellular stylet puncture that always preceded the phloem salivation phase (waveform E1). This type of pd, the phloem-pd, showed properties distinct from those of the standard pds and has never been described before. We manually ended EPG recordings during the acquisition and inoculation tests by removing aphids from the source or test plant after specific waveforms were recorded. Inoculation of BYV occurred at the highest rate when probing was interrupted just after a single or various phloem-pds. In contrast, BYV acquisition showed an intimate association with sustained phloem sap ingestion from phloem sieve elements (SEs) (E2 waveform). Our work shows for the first time that the inoculation of a phloem-limited virus occurs during specific intracellular stylet punctures and before phloem salivation (waveform E1). Further studies are needed to establish in what cells this novel phloem-pd occurs: phloem parenchyma, companion, or SE cells. The role of the different stylet activities in the acquisition and inoculation of BYV by M. persicae is discussed.IMPORTANCE We discovered the specific feeding activities of Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) associated with the transmission of Beet yellows virus (BYV; Closterovirus). Our work strongly suggests that aphids can insert their stylets into the membranes of phloem cells-visualized as a unique type of waveform that is associated with the inoculation of BYV. This intracellular puncture (3 to 5 s) occurs just before the phloem salivation phase and can be distinguished from other nonvascular stylet cell punctures. This is the first time that the transmission of a phloem-limited semipersistent virus has been shown to be associated with a unique type of intracellular puncture. Our work offers novel information and strongly contributes to the existing literature on the transmission of plant viruses. Here we describe a new kind of aphid behavioral pattern that could be key in further works, such as studying the transmission of other phloem-limited viruses (e.g., luteoviruses).

Effect of Potato virus Y Presence in Solanum tuberosum (Solanales: Solanaceae) and Chenopodium album on Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Behavior.

This study establishes the effect of Potato Virus Y (PVY; Potyvirus) in potatoes, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae) and in common-lambs' quarter Chenopodium album L. (Amaranthaceae) on Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) behavior, host preference, transmission, and fitness under field and laboratory studies. In the field, several weeds, besides C. album, were collected, including: Sisymbrium altissimum L. (Brassicaceae), Erodium cicutarium L., Lactuca serriola L., Solanum sarrachoides Sendtner (Solanaceae), and S. dulcamara L. (Solanaceae). All weeds were serologically tested for the presence of PVY. From all weeds collected, 2.3 and 34% of C. album and S. sarrachoides, respectively, were PVY-positive. From those positive samples, 72% of the PVY found were PVYN; the remaining 28% was PVYO. In addition, several aphid species were collected from those weeds: Ovatus crataegarious Walker, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Hyalopterus pruni Geoffroy (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Rophalosiphum madis Fitch, and 'others aphid' species were collected. The highest number of aphids were collected in E. cicutarium, followed by S. dulcamara, L. serriola, S. altissimum, and C. album. In laboratory studies, PVY-infected C. album does not induce the production of aphids. Moreover, M. persicae did not appear to have a strong preference for either healthy or PVY-infected potato plant, but they did develop a preference for infected plants after prolonged feeding. M. persicae and M. euphorbiae transmitted PVY from C. album to S. tuberosum, 44 and 37.5 % of the time. Future research should seek to identify not only other sources and prevalence of PVY in the field but vector relationships. In insect-pathogen complex continues to persist in solanaceous field crops around the world.

Sequential acquisition of Potato virus Y strains by Myzus persicae favors the transmission of the emerging recombinant strains.

In the past decade recombinant strains of Potato virus Y (PVY) have overtaken the ordinary strain, PVYO, as the predominant viruses affecting the US seed potato crop. Aphids may be a contributing factor in the emergence of the recombinant strains, but studies indicate that differences in transmission efficiency of individual PVY strains either from single or mixed infections, although variable, are not generally significant. Multiple strains of PVY are present in all potato production areas and common in many potato fields. Therefore, it is likely that individual alate aphids moving through a potato field will sequentially encounter multiple strains as they "taste test" multiple potato plants while looking for a suitable host. This study examined the transmission likelihood and efficiency of three common PVY strains when acquired sequentially by individual aphids. Green peach aphids (Myzus persicae, Sulzer) were allowed a 2-3min acquisition access period (AAP) on potato leaves infected with PVYO, PVYN:O or PVYNTN, followed by another 2-3min AAP on a second potato leaf infected with a different PVY strain before being transferred to healthy potato seedlings for a 24h inoculation access period. All possible combinations of the three strains were tested. Strain-specific infection of the recipient plants was determined by TAS-ELISA and RT-PCR 3-4wk post-inoculation. The recombinant strains, PVYN:O and PVYNTN, were transmitted more efficiently than PVYO when they were sequentially acquired regardless of the order acquired. PVYN:O and PVYNTN were transmitted with similar efficiencies when they were sequentially acquired regardless of the order. The recombinant strains appear to preferentially bind to the aphid stylet over PVYO or they may be preferentially released during inoculation. This may contribute to the increased incidence of the recombinant strains over PVYO in fields or production regions where multiple PVY strains are detected.

Dynamics of PVY strains in field grown potato: Impact of strain competition and ability to overcome host resistance mechanisms.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is the most important viral pathogen affecting potato crops worldwide. PVY can be transmitted non-persistently by aphids that do not colonize the host plant, resulting in a rapid acquisition and transmission of the virus between plants. PVY exists as a complex of strains that can be distinguished according to their pathogenicity, serology and genomic analysis. While virus incidence remains low in Scottish seed potato crops, PVY has become the increasingly prevalent virus. The monitoring of PVYN and PVYO serotypes has revealed a recent shift towards PVYN which now accounts for more than 90% of all PVY cases. A survey of the molecular diversity of PVYN isolates indicated that 80%-90% belong to the recombinant European (EU)-NTN group, with North-American (NA)-NTN and non-recombinant EU-N variants accounting for the remainder. The shift from non-recombinant to recombinant PVY isolates is a common trend observed worldwide. Surveys of a range of PVY isolates representing the main strain and phylogenetic groups suggest that PVY has the ability to overcome hypersensitive response-mediated resistance with significant differences between isolates of the same strain group. Contrastingly, genes mediating extreme resistance (Ryadg, Rysto) provide efficient resistance to PVY transmission to progeny tubers. Transmission experiments in field conditions of PVY isolates representing the three main molecular groups (PVYO, PVYEU-NTN, PVYNA-NTN) indicate that PVYEU-NTN has the highest transmission rate. Our results suggest that PVYEU-NTN isolate has a competitive advantage over PVYO and PVYNA-NTN isolates which is likely to be an important factor in shaping the evolution of viruses and the population dynamics of PVY.

Responses of Aphid Vectors of Potato leaf roll virus to Potato Varieties.

Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) can reduce tuber yield and quality in potato. Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae [Sulzer]) and potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae [Thomas]) are the two most important potato-colonizing PLRV vectors in the Pacific Northwest. We compared My. persicae and Ma. euphorbiae densities and PLRV incidences among potato varieties in the field to clarify the relationships between aphid abundance and PLRV incidence in plants. Aphids were sampled weekly over three years in the potato varieties Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, and Russet Norkotah in a replicated field trial. In all years, My. persicae was more abundant than Ma. euphorbiae, representing at least 97% of samples. My. persicae densities did not differ among potato varieties across years; very low numbers of Ma. euphorbiae precluded such statistical comparisons for this species. PLRV infection did not differ significantly among potato varieties, although the percent of PLRV-infected plants differed among years when all varieties were combined (46% in 2013, 29% in 2011, 13% in 2012). For Ranger Russet and Russet Norkotah, PLRV incidence was positively correlated with aphid abundance as well as proportion of PLRV-positive aphids. In Russet Burbank, only aphid abundance was positively correlated with PLRV infection. Our results suggest that the three most commonly grown potato varieties in our region do not differ in their susceptibility to PLRV infection, and that aphid density was a consistent indicator of the risk of infection by this virus across varieties. Both of these findings can be used to hone PLRV monitoring and modeling efforts.

Potato virus Y Transmission Efficiency from Potato Infected with Single or Multiple Virus Strains.

There has been a recent shift in the prevalence of Potato virus Y (PVY) strains affecting potato with the ordinary strain PVYO declining and the recombinant strains PVYNTN and PVYN:O emerging in the United States. Multiple PVY strains are commonly found in potato fields and even in individual plants. Factors contributing to the emergence of the recombinant strains are not well defined but differential aphid transmission of strains from single and mixed infections may play a role. We found that the transmission efficiencies by Myzus persicae, the green peach aphid, of PVYNTN, PVYN:O, and PVYO varied depending on the potato cultivar serving as the virus source. Overall transmission efficiency was highest from sources infected with three virus strains, whereas transmission from sources infected with one or two virus strains was not significantly different. Two strains were concomitantly transmitted by individual aphids from many of the mixed-source combinations, especially if PVYO was present. Triple-strain infections were not transmitted by any single aphid. PVYO was transmitted most efficiently from mixed-strain infection sources. The data do not support the hypothesis that differential transmission of PVY strains by M. persicae is a major contributing factor in the emergence of recombinant PVY strains in the U.S. potato crop.

Contribution of Noncolonizing Aphids to Potato Virus Y Prevalence in Potato in Idaho.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is a major concern for potato production in the United States given its impact on both crop quality and yield. Although green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is the most efficient PVY vector, it may be less abundant in potato-growing areas of Idaho relative to non-potato-colonizing aphid vectors of PVY that may disperse from nearby cereal fields and other crops. A field study was conducted during 2012-2013 to examine if noncolonizing aphids disperse to nearby potato fields as cereal crops dry down before harvest. The aphid fauna was sampled weekly in four different potato fields in south-central and southeastern Idaho using yellow sticky traps and yellow pan traps. Potato fields were chosen with an adjacent cereal field such that the prevailing westerly wind would facilitate aphid dispersal from cereal fields to potato. Non-potato-colonizing aphids sampled included 10 cereal aphid species, the most abundant of which were Rhopalosiphum padi L. and Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker). More than 35 species from noncereal hosts also were found. Overall, green peach aphid abundance was relatively low, ranging from 0.5-2.5% of the total aphid capture between years and among fields. In both years and all locations, cereal aphid abundance peaked in mid- to late July (cereal ripening stage) and decreased thereafter as cereal crops dried. PVY prevalence in the potato fields increased following these increases in aphid abundance. This study suggests that cereal aphids and other noncolonizing aphids are important contributors to PVY prevalence in potato in southern Idaho.

Impact of aphid alarm pheromone release on virus transmission efficiency: When pest control strategy could induce higher virus dispersion.

Aphids cause serious damages to crops not only by tacking sap but also by transmitting numerous viruses. To develop biological control, the aphid alarm pheromone, namely E-ß-farnesene (EßF), has been demonstrated to be efficient to repel aphids and as attract beneficials, making it a potential tool to control aphid pests. Considering aphids also as virus vectors, changes of their behavior could also interfere with the virus acquisition and transmission process. Here, a combination of two aphid species and two potato virus models were selected to test the influence of EßF release on aphid and virus dispersion under laboratory conditions. EßF release was found to significantly decrease the population of Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae around the infochemical releaser but simultaneously also increasing the dispersal of Potato Virus Y (PVY). At the opposite, no significant difference for Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV) transmission efficiency was observed with similar aphid alarm pheromone releases for none of the aphid species. These results provide some support to carefully consider infochemical releasers not only for push-pull strategy and pest control but also to include viral disease in a the plant protection to aphids as they are also efficient virus vectors. Impact of aphid kinds and transmission mechanisms will be discussed according to the large variation found between persistent and non persistent potato viruses and interactions with aphids and related infochemicals.

Preferential acquisition and inoculation of PVYNTN over PVYO in potato by the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer).

In the past decade, the incidence and distribution of the recombinant, tuber necrotic strain of Potato virus Y (PVYNTN) has been increasing in the US seed potato crop while the ordinary strain (PVYO) has been decreasing. The transmission efficiency of both strains was determined from two potato cultivars when acquired sequentially by the same aphid or when acquired by separate aphids and inoculated to the same plant. PVYNTN was transmitted more efficiently than PVYO and the order of acquisition or inoculation did not affect the preferential transmission of PVYNTN. When a recipient plant became infected with both strains, PVYNTN maintained higher titre than PVYO and would facilitate the acquisition of PVYNTN. Furthermore, the acquisition and transmission of PVYNTN over PVYO was enhanced in the potato cultivar that expressed a strain-specific Ny-like resistance gene that confers partial resistance to PVYO.

Development and Reproduction of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Fed on Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Vectoring Potato leafroll virus (PLRV).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological parameters of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) while feeding on Myzus persicae (Sulzer) acting as a vector of potato leafroll virus (PLRV). In laboratory experiments, three different diets were offered ad libitum to C. externa during the larval period: M. persicae fed on PLRV-infected potato leaves, M. persicae fed on uninfected potato leaves, and eggs of the factitious prey Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) as the control. The following parameters were studied: the developmental time and survival rate of the larval and pupal stages, the sex ratio, the proportion of fertile females, female fecundity and egg viability, and the survival curve of the first 30 days after adult emergence. PLRV-infected aphids influenced the C. externa larval developmental time and survival compared to PLRV-uninfected aphids and A. kuehniella eggs. The pupal developmental time of C. externa was shorter when fed on aphids compared to A. kuehniella eggs, but no differences were recorded between the PLRV-infected and uninfected aphid diets. Additionally, no differences were observed for pupal survival and reproduction. However, adult survival was affected by the prey type, as 75% of C. externa control adults remained alive at an age of 30 days compared to 51 and 54% for those fed on PLRV-uninfected and infected aphids, respectively.

Effect of insecticide-treated potato plants on aphid behavior and potato virus Y acquisition.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to assess the effect of two contact insecticides, lambda-cyhalothrin and flonicamid, and three systemic insecticides, pymetrozine, dimethoate and imidacloprid, on the behavior and potato virus Y (PVY) acquisition of three aphid species, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), Rhopalosiphum padi L. and Aphis fabae (Scopoli). RESULTS: At 1-4 days after application, contact insecticides strongly modified aphid behavior and intoxicated them. Dimethoate sprayed on potato plants did not change the behavior of the three tested aphid species, while imidacloprid slightly reduced the probing behavior of M. euphorbiae and intoxicated several R. padi. The residual effect of the insecticides (10-21 days after application) was almost non-existent. No intoxication was found, and only slight changes in the behavior of R. padi and A. fabae were observed. The acquisition of PVY by R. padi was reduced on lambda-cyhalothrin- and dimethoate-treated plants that were sprayed a few days before the test. CONCLUSION: One systemic and two contact insecticides were effective at intoxicating aphids and reducing probing behavior soon after application. Some insecticides might sporadically reduce the spread of PVY either by modifying the behavior or reducing PVY acquisition, but their action is likely limited to a short period of time after application.

Stopped in its tracks: how λ-cyhalothrin can break the aphid transmission of a potato potyvirus.

BACKGROUND: Pyrethroids are one of the most widespread and commonly used classes of insecticide and are used in multiple roles, including protecting potato crops from virus vector aphids. Resistance in some genotypes of a few species is now widespread, but most species remain susceptible. The rate of virus transmission by two genotypes of the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae, fed on potato virus Y (PVY)-infected leaves of potato treated with the pyrethroid λ-cyhalothrin was evaluated. RESULTS: The susceptible genotype, type J, was significantly inhibited from transmitting virus to uninfected seedlings. A genotype containing the M918L super knockdown resistance mutation conferring resistance to pyrethroids, type O, showed no inhibition of transmission. However, when survival of the aphids after exposure was compared, the pyrethroid had not killed the type J aphids. CONCLUSIONS: λ-Cyhalothrin in a commercial formulation disrupts PVY transmission by disorienting aphid vectors for a sufficient time for the virus to lose its transmissibility. However, M. persicae genotypes carrying the M918L mutation are not prevented from transmitting.

Interactions among potato genotypes, growth stages, virus strains, and inoculation methods in the potato virus Y and green peach aphid pathosystem.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is an economically important and reemerging potato pathogen in North America. PVY infection reduces yield, and some necrotic and recombinant strains render tubers unmarketable. Although PVY(O) is the most prevalent strain in the United States, the necrotic and recombinant strains PVY(NTN) and PVY(N:O) are becoming more widespread. Infection rates in aphid-inoculated (Myzus persicae (Sulzer)) and mechanically inoculated plants were compared across two potato genotypes ('Yukon Gold' and A98345-1), three PVY strains (PVY(O), PVY(N:O), and PVY(NTN)), and two growth stages at inoculation (pre- and postflowering). Susceptibility of genotypes was measured as infection rate using a double-antibody sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; virus titer and tuber mass also were recorded from the infected plants. Yukon Gold generally was more susceptible than A98345-1 to all three PVY strains, especially following mechanical inoculation. Within genotypes, Yukon Gold was most susceptible to PVY(O) and A98345-1 was most susceptible to PVY(N:O). Plants exhibited age-based resistance, with both genotypes showing higher susceptibility at the pre- than postflowering stage. The overall ranking pattern of virus titer in infected plants was PVY(O) > PVY(NTN) > PVY(N:O); across all three strains, infected Yukon Gold had higher titer than infected A98345-1 plants. Yukon Gold plants had lower tuber mass than A98345-1 when infected, and there were differences between the two inoculation methods in regard to tuber mass for the three stains. The results showed differences in infection response between inoculation methods and as a function of genotype, strain, inoculation stage, and their interactions. These factors should be considered when screening genotypes for resistance.

Preference by a virus vector for infected plants is reversed after virus acquisition.

Pathogens and their vectors can interact either directly or indirectly via their shared hosts, with implications for the persistence and spread of the pathogen in host populations. For example, some plant viruses induce changes in host plants that cause the aphids that carry these viruses to settle preferentially on infected plants. Furthermore, relative preference by the vector for infected plants can change to a preference for noninfected plants after virus acquisition by the vector, as has recently been demonstrated in the wheat-Rhopalosiphum padi-Barley yellow dwarf virus pathosystem. Here we document a similar dynamic in the potato-Myzus persicae (Sulzer)-Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) pathosystem. Specifically, in a dual choice bioassay, nonviruliferous apterous M. persicae settled preferentially on or near potato plants infected with PLRV relative to noninfected (sham-inoculated) control plants, whereas viruliferous M. persicae (carrying PLRV) preferentially settled on or near sham-inoculated potato plants relative to infected plants. The change in preference after virus acquisition also occurred in response to trapped headspace volatiles, and to synthetic mimics of headspace volatile blends from PLRV-infected and sham-inoculated potato plants. The change in preference we document should promote virus spread by increasing rates of virus acquisition and transmission by the vector.