Receiving improved potatoes and diagnostics of viral diseases under the conditions of the engels area of the Saratov region

Abstract

In the Lower Volga region, an important negative factor in the cultivation of potatoes is the infectious load, determined by the high number of carriers of viral diseases due to the climatic features of the region. The aim of the study was a phytosanitary assessment of the status of potato planting when growing a healthy material in the conditions of the Saratov region. To achieve the goal, the virus content was monitored when growing healthy potatoes in the field and the rates of re-infection with potato viruses were used when using commercial potato and healthy seeds as planting material. 4 varieties of potatoes served as materials for the study: Silvana, Labella (seeds of the elite category), Red Scarlett, Nevsky (mini-tubers obtained by the aerophone method from microclones, improved by isolating the apical meristems in the biotechnological laboratory of Saratov State Agrarian University). Evaluation of viruses in laboratory and field samples of potatoes was carried out by visual assessment of plants, as well as based on the detection of virus RNA by PCR-RV. It has been established that the applied level of chemical treatment with insecticides did not provide complete protection of crops against vectors of viral diseases. The main carriers in these conditions were large potato aphids and cicadas, which contributed to the infection of plants with viruses. Analysis of plant samples by real-time PCR revealed the presence of latent infection with PVY and PVM viruses. To ensure the production of high-quality planting material for potato tubers in the conditions of the Saratov region, careful control of the virus content using nucleic acid analysis methods, including real-time PCR, is necessary.