Aphid species and dynamic population as putative vectors of virus in garlic crop

PEROTTO M. C.,; LANATI S; PANONTO S; BURBA JL; CAFRUNE E. E.;; CONCI V. C

Fukuoka

Simposio; 6th International ISHS Symposium on Edible Alliaceae; 2012

ISHS-ISEA

Garlic is vegetative propagated, resulting in widespread infection by viruses. All the materials currently in use have varying levels of virus infection, which affect their development and limit productivity. Plants are infected by Potyvirus, Carlavirus, (aphid-borne viruses), and Allexivirus (mite-borne viruses). Potyvirus, Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV) cause the most important aphid-borne virus diseases in garlic crops, decreasing yields by 24 and 60% for OYDV and between 17 and 54% for LYSV. In Argentina the use of virus-free garlic is a common practice among of garlic growers but the velocity of virus infection and the relationship between aphid population and viruses is not know in virus free garlic plants exposed at natural conditions. The present studied aimed to evaluate the diversity of aphid species present in the major garlic production areas in Argentina with potential capacity to transmit viruses. Aphids were trapped weekly during two years, from mid-June through mid-November within a garlic crop by using yellow water pan traps (Moericke type). OYDV and LYSV incidence were evaluated during a crop cycle, determined with nitrocellulose-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (NC-ELISA). Thirty eight aphid species were identified in the two years in garlic filed from Mendoza. The population of vectors was increased towards the end of the growing cycle (spring-summer season). At this stage, 97% and 82% of the plants were infected with OYDV and LYSV respectively. Based on the seasonal population dynamics reported here, it would be necessary to carry out studies on the effectiveness of these vectors as potential transmitters of LYSV and OYDV. These data will be useful for developing management strategies in garlic virus diseases.