Agriculture, Fisheries and AquacultureHOME / FACTSHEETS / POTATO / Potato Wart and Potato Mop-top Virus Where do I find information about potato wart?Potato Wart
Potato Mop-Top Virus (PMTV) was recently (late July) confirmed at the University of Maine Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Island, Maine. The significance of the discovery is that the virus had not been previously present in the United States and Canada. PMTV can cause substantial economic damage and as a result the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) consider the virus to be of quarantine significance. Testing conducted by the CFIA on potatoes imported from the states has identified the PMTV in potatoes from eleven states. Canada has closed its border to seed potato imported from these states until an acceptable certification protocol is established.
PMTV is an infectious, quarantine virus that attacks tubers causing discoloration or rings inside potatoes, making them unsuitable for the fresh market as well as for chip and french fry production. The virus also causes molting or stunting of the part of the plant that is above the ground.
The virus is spread through the fungus associated with powdery potato scab. It can not be spread through the air or by aphids. The virus tends to reduce yields by substantial amounts and tends to spread more readily in regions with colder climates. It can survive up to 18 years in a field.
Contact Montague O'Leary MacKendrick, Bill (Agriculture Information Technologist)
Summerside MacNeill, Suzanne (Agriculture Information Officer - Summerside)
Charlottetown Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Charlottetown | ||||||
