Potato yellow dwarf virus

Potato yellow dwarf virus occurs principally in wild Solanaceae and has been transmitted artificially to species in the families Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae and Scrophulariaceae. It is found only sporadically in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).

Symptoms
Infected plants are dwarfed and show typical yellowing and necrosis. Internal necrotic spots occur in stems, particularly in upper nodes. Pith necrosis of stems is common. Tubers are usually few, small and deformed with surface cracking and internal necrotic spots. Infected tubers hardly germinate. High temperatures favour and low temperatures delay symptom development.

Control
No particular measures are needed in practice to control PYDV. However, as with all potato viruses, high-quality seed potatoes must be derived from virus-free nuclear stock, including freedom from PYDV.