Estimation of vector propensity of Potato Virus Y (PVY) in open-feld pepper crops of Central Spain

Abstract

During 3 successive years (1991, 1992, and 1993), 49 different species of alatae aphids were captured alive using net traps located in pepper fields in central Spain (Madrid). Aphids were trapped and transferred individually to pepper test seedlings to assess transmission of potato virus Y (PVY). In 1991, only 1 individual aphid transmitted PVY of 582 aphids captured. None of the 757 aphids captured in 1993 transmitted PVY to test plants. However, the percentage of transmitters was higher during 1992 (55n80,7%). Most aphids transmitting PVY were identified either as Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) or Aphis spp. A series of transmission assays were conducted under controlled conditions to confirm the transmission ability of D. noxia. Results showed that D. noxia transmits PVY with low efficiency under laboratory conditions. The role of D. noxia as a vector of PVY in the central region of Spain is discussed.