Survey and Identification of Potato Viruses in the Western Region of Libya

By: Hatem Abukraa , Sana Sherlala , Fawzi Bashia , Samia Elmodi , Basma Alosta

Agricultural and Animal Research Center

Issue: Vol 22 |First Issue | 2016

article language: Arabic

Abstract:

A survey was conducted to detect viruses infecting potato crops in the spring and autumn seasons during 2009 and 2010 in the western region of Libya. 787 random samples were collected from both seasons across 32 sites in six different regions. Samples were tested using Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) to detect infection with Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus M (PVM), Potato virus S (PVS), and Potato virus A (PVA). 221 samples tested positive for PVY in the 2009 season, with infection rates of 18.64% and 73.14% in the spring and autumn seasons, respectively. Two samples tested positive for PVX in the spring season. 75 samples tested positive for PVY in the 2010 season, with rates of 13.3% and 36% in the spring and autumn seasons, respectively. The study showed no infection with PVM, PVA, or PVS. The results indicated a higher infection rate in the autumn season compared to the spring season in both agricultural years, as well as a decrease in the infection rate in the 2010 season compared to 2009. The main symptoms on indicator plants for PVY were studied using four varieties of tobacco plants; symptoms varied between mosaic, leaf deformation, plant stunting, and vein clearing. This is considered the first record of Potato virus Y (PVY) on potato crops in Libya.