Potato virus Y transmitting aphids in a Finnish seed potato area

The aphid-transmissible Potato virus Y is a major problem in seed potato production (Valkonen , 2007). The aphid flight activity was monitored from mid-June to the end of August with a suction trap and with yellow pan traps in 2007 and 2008. Previous studies have concluded that potato colonising aphids are not the main vectors of Potato virus Y

Response of organically and conventionally produced potatoes to a controlled attack of a pathogen

Organic agricultural products have increasing share of the food market in Europe. The questions related to benefits of organic versus conventionally produced agricultural crops are of increasing meaning. In our paper we have focused on assessment of the reaction of the immunity system of potato tubers from both agricultural systems on an external controlled attack of Phytophthora infestans, a pathogenic microorganism. The reaction of organic and conventional potato tubers was expressed via determination of chlorogenic acid. The content of chlorogenic acid in organic potato tubers increased 1.3 times after an attack, compared to potato tubers without a microbial attack. In conventional potato tubers, the increase was 4 times higher in the same way of comparison. The observed increase in conventional tubers is an evident exaggerated protection reaction to the attack of a natural potato pathogen. It is evident that there is a difference between the reaction of the immunity system of organic versus conventional potato tubers � phytoallergy

The Influence of Plant Dispersion on Movement Patterns of the Colorado Potato Beetle, \u3ci\u3eLeptinotarsa Decemlineata\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The influence of plant dispersion on movements of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), was studied with mark-recapture techniques. Beetles released between potato monocultures, polycultures with two additional non-host plant species, and polycultures with five additional non-host species, randomly colonized the three types of plots. Releases between different arrangements of potted host and non-host plants showed (1) greater beetle colonization and greater length of time spent on potato plants growing alone than on potato plants surrounded by non-host vegetation, and (2) no effect of potato plant density on colonization or tenure time. Overall, there was a 65~ recapture rate; beetles consistently stayed on the same plants they originally colonized, often for at least five days after release