The incidence of Mop-Top and Aucuba potato viruses in several Romanian areas (preliminary studies)

PMTV (Potato Mop-Top Virus ) an PAMV (Potato Aucuba Mosaic Virus) are new Romanian damaging pathogens of potato crop. They can cause serious reduced yield and decrease of the tuber’s quality. In case of these viruses, infected plants do not allways show symptoms and symptom depends on potato cultivar, virus strain and the environment. PMTV and PAMV infection of material plants can produce spraing in tubers of sensitive varieties. PMTV cause heavy losses in northen Europe and it is very difficult to control. Foliar symptoms include bright yellow blotch (Aucuba), a ’V’-shaped yellow pattern, deformed leaves and internode shortening. PAMV is a helping virus for devlopment of dangerous potyvirus like Potato Virus Y (PVY). Elimination of all these pathogens from potato supply is essential for potato production and the choice of resistant varieties to the infection with these viruses could be one of the measures recommended for farmers and producers. The results of this preliminary study show that PMTV and PAMV were not found in the material collected from the following varieties: Armonia, Azaria, Christian, Cosiana and Millenium (samples collected from the counties Braşov, Covasna, Harghita, Suceava in 2019 and 2020)

Research regarding the improvement of methods used for potato viruses Y, A, X, S and PLRV identification

Obtaining health and safety food impose the improvement of identification’s techniques of pathogen agents. The goal of this research was to examine and evaluate the effects of several modifications of ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) technique on the detection of potato viruses Y, A, X, S and potato leafroll virus (PLRV). These modifications consisted on: the use of sap extracted directly from the tubers, modification of the incubation modality of conjugate (IgG-AP), the use of several additives in extraction and conjugate buffers, replacement of grinding buffer with McIlvain buffer. The results show a better identification of PLRV in sprouting tubers using the co-incubation sample and IgG-AP conjugate. Compared with the classical method, the test safety and sensitivity increased. Using sap from sprouting tubers (dilution 1/10) the average values of OD at 405 nm was 2.5 times higher. The detection of potato viruses Y and A by enzyme– linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can be improved using extraction buffers with new composition. Using McIlvain’s phosphate-citric acid buffer (0.18M; pH 7), the absorbance values (A405nm) increased significantly for PVY and PVA detection comparing with the classic extraction buffer. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (0.01M) in phosphate-buffered saline plus Tween 20 (PBS-T) used instead of the polyvinylpyrrolidone increased the sensitivity of potato virus Y but this additives decrease the absorbance values in case of PLRV identification. The same decrease was observed when we used sodium thioglicolat (0.01M) and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (0.01M) in PBST. Presence of proteins in conjugate buffer improve safety of viruses identification. Food gelatin was more efficiently like the bovine serum albumine (BSA) for PLRV identification. The use of new equipement, the use of McIlvain’s buffer and gelatin food could save time and costs in routine diagnostic of viruses wich affect potato plants

Researches regarding the minitubers production from potato lines

In this study was done researches about minitubers production from 14 potato lines studied: TS 12-1488-1574, TS 12- 1489-1574, TS 12-1497-1573, TS 11-1475-1633, TS 12-1502-1675, TS 11-1472-1633, TS 11-1468-1633, TS 09-1441- 1525, TS 11-1486-1642, TS 12-1501-1582, TS 11-1480-1633, TS 96 -1207-169, TS 11-1467-1633, TS 09-1442-1525. The experience was monofactorial, in which the analyzed factor was the genotype, consisted of 14 variants, divided into 3 repetitions. As a control, the average of the determined values was determined for each parameter taken in the study. The parameters analyzed were: minitubers number / plant and minitubers weight minitubers / pl. TS 12-1489-1574 potato line was the most representative, being a productive line, which was distinguished by a number of 11.83 minitubers / plant and a significantly positive difference of + 4.21 comparative with control taken in the study. Weight of minitubers / plant was influenced by genotype, proving superiority TS11-1468-1633 potato line which had a good capacity to produce minitubers with high weight (295.17 g) (and a distinct significant difference, positive, to control +114,83). Thus, this potato line has a high potential for producing high yields

Effects of Blueberry and Black Carrot Extracts Addition on Antioxidant Properties and Protein-Precipitating Capacity of Ultrasound-Treated Cider

The results presented in this study highlight the level of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and protein-precipitating capacity (PPC) correlated with the antioxidant capacity of new cider varieties enriched with valuable bio compounds by the addition of blueberry and black carrot extracts. The cider variants were treated with ultrasound (constant frequency of 20 kHz) at 20%, 30% and 40% amplitude (A) for two, five or seven minutes. TPC determination was performed by Folin–Ciocâlteu method and TFC was determined by an aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The antioxidant capacity was determined by ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) assay and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity. The results showed that the antioxidant performance indicators (FRAP, ABTS and DPPH) were positively correlated with the TPC and TFC of the ultrasound-treated cider variants, suggesting that the content of these bio compounds may be improved by the treatments applied. The highest mean values for TPC and TFC were found in the cider variant enriched with black carrot extract (0.3%, v/v), subsequently ultrasound-treated (A20%, five minutes) Conclusively, the extracts used in this study could improve the antioxidant capacity of the cider, especially in case of variants ultrasound-treated

STUDIES REGARDING THE EFFECTS OF Rosmarinus officinalis OIL TREATMENTS IN HEALTHY AND POTATO VIRUS Y (PVY) INFECTED PLANTS Solanum tuberosum L

Abstract. The potato virus Y cause loss in yield and quality of tubers. Hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid and antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid present in oils extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis plants are implicated in signaling against stress. The effects of these chemicals on tuber yield and pigments content were evaluated in plants testing positive after virus mechanical infection. Without chemical treatment, positive plants showed significant reductions in leaf pigments content and tuber weights compared to uninfected controls. Hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid and oil treatments of PVY infected plants significantly reduced the number of minitubers, enhancing their weights, while leaf pigment content also increased. This research demonstrates potential benefits of treatments with oils extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis plants and hydrogen peroxide or ascorbic acid in enhancing the yield and quality of tubers

Preliminary studies regarding the incidence of potato virus y in seed potatoes in Romania (for several cultivars)

The farmers income is affected strongly by potato virus diseases. Potato Virus Y has become in the last years one of the most damaging pathogen of potato crop. It can cause serious reduced yield, stand loss and decrease of the tuber’s quality. The necrotic and recombinant strains PVY play an important rol in the spreading of this virus. Elimination of this pathogen from potato supply is essential for seed production and the choice of resistant varieties to the infection with this virus could be one of the measures recommended for farmers and producers. The results of this preliminary study show that varieties resistant to necrotic strains PVY in our study (samples taken from theregionsBraşov, Covasna, Harghita, Cluj, Suceava, in 2014) were the following: Riviera, Bellarosa, Jelly, Roclas, Christian