Widespread presence of potato virus Y in the main potato-producing region of Paraguay

Abstract

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most significant potato pathogens worldwide. However, its incidence and distribution in Paraguay remained unknown since its initial detection in the 1990s. This study aimed to assess the presence of PVY in potato fields in the Paraguarí Department, the country’s main potato-producing region. Molecular detection was conducted on 86 symptomatic samples collected from 10 farms, using both universal potyvirus primers and PVY-specific primers. The overall potyvirus infection rate was 43%, with PVY confirmed in 95% of the positive samples. Infected plants displayed characteristic symptoms, including mild mosaic and foliar necrosis, across all surveyed locations. Additionally, our findings suggest the presence of other potyvirus species, emphasizing the need for comprehensive viral screening in potato crops. This study provides the first molecular confirmation of PVY in Paraguay.