b'CANADIAN POTATO COUNCIL Cut potato tubers with potato mop-top virus (PMTV) internal necrotic symptoms. PHOTO: XIANZHOU NIEDetecting Necrotic Viruses FasterWhile necrotic viruses wont break the bank, theyre costly for the industry. A group of researchers have found ways to find them faster savinggrowers money.BY: ASHLEY ROBINSONNECROTIC VIRUSES in potatoes cover a wide range of viruses. Some cause symptoms on foliage while others damage tubersinternal or external. These viruses may not cause harm to humans or completely wipe out potato crops, but they can still cause problems and affect profits at the end of the day.Theres still not much known on management practices or even how to identify different necrotic viruses. However, as part of a research project led by Xianzhou Nie, a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Fredericton Research and Development Centre (FRDC), he has been taking a closer look at potato tuber necrosis-inducing viruses, including identifying strains in Canada, and finding a better way to identify those strains. First of all, is whether the plant can be infectedhas a sensitivity to the virus infection. The second one we care more about is sensitivity to the virus induced symptoms, Nie explainsUncooked cut french fries taken from a processing line in Manitoba showing the effects of necrotic viruses on tubers. in a phone interview.PHOTO: MITCH WRIGHT, MCCAIN FOODSThe project started in 2018 and lasts for five years. Its part of the Canadian Potato Council with the Canadian Horticulturalworked with Vikram Bisht, a plant pathologist agronomist with Council cluster projects funded by the Canadian AgriculturalManitoba Agriculture, to try and find ways to help growers with Partnership (CAP). necrotic viruses in both Manitoba and New Brunswick.Nie has been working on necrotic viruses for the past two decades, first starting with his post-doctoral work at FRDC.Necrotic Viruses in CanadaWhen the Canadian Potato Council was looking for researchWhile there are a few tuber necrotic viruses in the world, as part project proposals, necrotic viruses was identified as an area ofof the project Nie and his team focused on four different ones interest with Nie in New Brunswick leading the charge. He hasknown to be in Canadapotato virus Y (PVY), alfalfa mosaic 34SPUDSMART.COM Summer 2022'