About the SCRI Grant

The SCRI project “Development of Sustainable System-based Management Strategies for Two Vector-borne, Tuber Necrotic Viruses in potato” brings together researchers, Extension professionals and seed certification programs from across the country to address the most important disease problem currently faced by the potato industry — vector borne tuber necrotic viruses. PMTV and some strains of PVY elicit necrotic response in tubers, reducing crop value or rendering it unmarketable. For the past decade we have been working under the guidance of a national advisory board, comprised of leading seed growers, affected ware potato growers and representatives of large potato processing companies to prioritize our research activities, and the current SCRI project will continue to address those important concerns.

USDA-NIFA-SCRI award #2020-51181-32136.

Objectives for Project

• Objective 1 — To improve high throughput detection of PVY and PMTV in dormant potato tubers, in their vectors and for PMTV, in soil, and to train seed certification agencies in these methods.
• Objective 2 — To improve virus-vector management through development of epidemiological models and through research-based recommendations for potato production.
• Objective 3 — To develop molecular markers for resistance genes against PVY and PMTV and Ss; to clone at least one PVY resistance gene; and to understand virus impacts on the physiology of stored potatoes.
• Objective 4 — To identify economic or incentive barriers to effective disease management and to use this information to aid in industry adoption of improved management strategies and harmonized regulations.

Contacts

Over 25 researchers across the nation are leading collaboration efforts on the Potato Virus Initiative: Developing Solutions.

Project Director

• University of Idaho
  Alex Karasev
  akarasev@uidaho.edu

Co-Project Directors

• Colorado State University
  Amy Charkowski
  amy.charkowski@colostate.edu
• Cornell University
  Walter De Jong
  wsd2@cornell.edu
• Oregon State University
  Kenneth Frost
  kenneth.frost@oregonstate.edu