Serological and Molecular Detection of Potato virus Y (PVY) in West Bank

Potato virus Y (PVY) is widely distributed virus in potato (Solanum tuberosum) all over the world as ranks the fifth among the top ten of the most economically damaging plant viruses worldwide. Within the scope of collecting data of phytoviruses in Palestine, this study was conducted to reveal the incidence of PVY virus on potatoes collected from the main growing fields of potato in West Bank-Palestine, using serological methods. Besides, biological (Field inspections and mechanical inoculation) with molecular tools (RT-PCR) were used as well. A total of 255 potato leaf samples from inspected 40 fields of different regions in West Bank were collected during the 2014 / 2015 growing seasons of potato. All samples were tested for PVY by Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA), and at least 5 of these samples were further analyzed by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) using degenerate primers. The obtained results of the field surveys revealed a variety of symptoms such as yellowish-green mosaic, stunting, rugosity, wilting and general yellowing, which were observed in some fields; indicating the presence of putatively viral diseases. By using DAS-ELISA, the incidence of the PVY virus was detected at an average of 15.29 %; confirmed by bioassay tests and RT-PCR analysis. Surprisingly, all infected potatoes were recorded on Spunta variety except one sample from (Mondial), meanwhile the most area where the virus had been detected in its fields found in Nablus region (48%). That presence of the virus in the fields of the main growing areas, as this study reported, should be alarming and need actions to prevent its spread. Also these results are considered important in providing a platform helpful for further studies to create proper management approach to control plant viral diseases in Palestine.