Transmission and Epidemiology of Potato virus Y

As obligate parasites, plant viruses, require in order to survive, to be transmitted to another plant. Experimentally, viruses such as Potato virus Y (PVY) can be transmitted by mechanical means such as wounding and grafting. In its natural environment, PVY transmission is mediated by sap-feeding aphid vector, or vegetatively through propagated organs such as potato tubers. A vast number of aphid species have been reported to transmit PVY in a non-persistent manner with variable efficiency to a large number of solanaceous and non-solanaceous plant species including weeds and ornamentals. Several sensory stimuli will influence host selection and feeding behaviour of the aphid and will strongly influence virus epidemiology. The interactions between the virus, its vector, and the environment are complex and are the focus of many studies aiming to understand the molecular basis of these interactions and their impact on disease development. This chapter will present the current knowledge of PVY transmission, epidemiology, and its management in different countries.