Screening of potato cultivars to Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir-North East of Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the North-East of Pakistan is a leading seed potato producing area of the country. Potato cultivars that are grown commercially in AJK were screened against Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) under natural field conditions. The potato cultivars Bataina, Desiree, Fleminco, Kurado, Line A, Line B, Margrata, Pomola, Rodalph and Ronaldo were screened against TRV. Out of 10, four cultivars Bataina, Line B and Pomola and Ronaldo were found sensitive whereas cultivars Kurado, Margrata, Line A and Rodalph were moderately sensitive. Two cultivars Desiree and Fleminco were rated moderately insensitive, and none of the tested germplasm was completely insensitive to TRV-induced tuber necrosis. The effect of TRV on quantity (yield) and quality attributes of 10 potato cultivars were investigated in field experiments at district Poonch and Sudhnoti. Preliminary results revealed that plant height, number of stems per plant, numbers of tubers and weight of tubers were severely affected by soil-borne trichodorids transmitted TRV. It was concluded that both TRV and its vector were prevalent in major potato growing areas of the AJK and the existing potato germplasm has no resistance against the virus or its vector or both posing a serious threat to the potato production in the region. This is the first report of screening of potato germplasm against TRV in the region.