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Some of my younger potato plants are rolled up and yellowed. I have problems with aphids – could they have something to do with it? —Frettin’ in Aroostook County, Maine |
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Aphids play an important role in spreading disease throughout your
potato fields. The Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV) is one such disease.
As aphids settle on plant leaves, they suck plant sap through tiny
stylets and secrete saliva infected with PLRV into the phloem of the
host plant. As the infected phloem enters the vascular system, it travels
into tubers and can reduce size and cause net necrosis (browning of
entire tuber). In addition, plants infected with PLRV show signs of
chlorosis (slight yellowing) and stiff, leathery rolled leaves.
There are ways to reduce PLRV, such as planting seed free of disease, eliminating volunteer potatoes and using a seed treatment that protects young plants from early-season aphid damage. CruiserMaxx™ Potatoes, for example, contains thiamethoxam, an insecticide that protects plants against a broad spectrum of early-season pests including aphids that vector PLRV. |
