Creation of major common potato viruses collection for studying the effectiveness of virus elimination methods

Abstract

Background and Aim. Potato is one of the most important food crops, however, its yield and quality are significantly reduced by viral diseases. Potato viruses accumulate in tubers, making their control difficult and requiring the development of effective methods for seed material virus elimination. The aim of the study was to establish a collection of the main potato viruses detected in the in vitro collection of the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory of S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro-Technical Research University (KATRU) and to perform their molecular identification for further use in studies on potato material virus elimination.

Materials and Methods. Virus detection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato virus S (PVS), Potato virus M (PVM), and Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) was carried out.

Novelty. A collection of the most widespread potato virus isolates with confirmed molecular identification has been created. This collection serves as a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of modern virus elimination methods (electrotherapy, cryotherapy, apical meristem culture) and for improving the quality of potato breeding material.

Results. Diagnosis of 34 potato samples by ELISA and multiplex RT-PCR revealed 8 samples infected with PVX and PVM. Both mono- and mixed infections, allowing the collection to be used in subsequent research on potato virus eradication were detected.