A virus threatening sweet potatoes has appeared in domestic propagating material production

By: STA Date: 2024. 06. 06. 09:00

From a phytosanitary point of view, a virus that damages sweet potatoes (sweet potatoes) has appeared in our country. Although experts have previously detected the virus causing chlorotic dwarfism in the tubers of edible sweet potatoes, its current occurrence is particularly significant because this time the presence of the virus was confirmed in the production of propagating material.

(Photo: Pixabay)

The responsible attitude of growers is also necessary to prevent the further spread of the virus. The Sweet Potato Chlorotic Stunt Virus (SPCSV) virus, which causes chlorotic stunting of sweet potatoes, is included in the relevant EU Regulation II. listed in its Annex, it is among the notifiable pests. Suspicion of its appearance must be reported to the regionally competent county government office by filling out the appropriate form. Details of this can be found on the Nébih website. The symptoms of the SPCSV virus are characterized by dwarfing, mosaicism and chlorotic spots or the appearance of a slight light green color pattern along the leaf veins, and in some varieties purple discoloration also occurs.

In May of this year, laboratory virological testing of plant samples taken during an official inspection confirmed the presence of the harmful SPCSV at a producer of sweet potato propagating material

The authority detected the virus in samples taken from plants grown in 12 cuttings-producing film tents in the Csongrád-Csanád county. The plant protection specialists took plant health closure measures in order to prevent the spread of the infection. They started investigating the source of the infection, and strict hygiene regulations were ordered, which includes the regular disinfection of all materials suitable for spreading the infection (e.g. work clothes, pruning shears). The authority ordered destruction, tillage and total herbicide treatment on the spot. The virus is not dangerous to human health, it only damages plants, and consumption of sweet potato tubers intended for food does not pose a risk.

Nébih