Control measures

Most of the cultivars available in Europe are resistant to PVA. Otherwise, PVA control measures are similar to those for PVY as these viruses have the same mode of transmission. 

For the production of ware or processed potato crops, the main measures to control virus infection are the use of certified seed potatoes and of resistant cultivars. 

Production of certified seed potatoes is based on a range of measures limiting the infection by viral diseases during the growing period and involves:

• the production in a favourable environment: in isolated areas with low virus/vector pressure and in fields away from household gardens or fields used for the production of ware and processed potatoes;

• the early roguing of infected plants and eradication of all sources of inoculum, e.g. weeds
  and volunteers, to limit the spread of viruses within the field;

• the treatment with mineral oils to reduce the transmission of non-persistent viruses such as PVA. Insecticides are only effective against persistent viruses such as PLRV.

   

Additional control measures in seed potato production include:

• early planting;

• early haulm destruction (by chemicals and/or by mechanical means) prior to maturity to limit the infection of daughter tubers by late flights of aphids.