This title is a treatise that includes information on virus-, viroid- and phytoplasma-induced potato diseases. It includes novel techniques of detection, virus isolation, transmission and epidemiology of the pathogens, as well as their control by rapid propagation of the virus-tested clones, breeding for resistance by conventional and biotechnological methods and implementation of certification schemes. Also included are chapters on the botanical characteristics and economic importance of the potato, main cultivars, historical perspectives and emerging viruses in relation to control procedures and regulations. This book should be of major value to all those interested in potatoes - researchers and students, general practitioners, seed potato growers, tissue culture laboratories, inspection services and regulatory authorities; and should attract audiences from all potato growing areas: US, Europe, South America, Russia, India and China.
Contributors. Preface. Contents. 1. The Economic Importance of the Potato; M.F. Askew. 2. Biology, Physiology of the Potato; H.D. Rabinowitch, D. Levy. 3. Important Potato Cultivars; D.L. Corsini, C.R. Brown. 4. Historical Perspectives of Potato Virus Research; R.H. Lawson, R. Stace-Smith. 5. The Main Viruses Infecting Potato Crops; A.A. Brunt, et al. 6. Viroids; L.F Salazar, et al. 7. Phytoplasma Diseases; M. Klein. 8. Transmission of Viruses; G.D. Franc, et al. 9. Epidemiology, Field Control of PVY, PLRV; D.W. Ragsdale, et al. 10. Detection, Identification of Viruses in Potatoes; A. Gera, S. Marco. 11. Isolation, Purification; P.E. Thomas, W.K. Kaniewski. 12. Operation of a Commercial ELISA, Seed Testing Laboratory; Y. Alon, I. Ben Zeev. 13. Resistance; C.R. Brown, et al. 14. Control of Potato Viruses using Meristem, Stem-cutting Cultures, Thermotherapy, Chemotherapy; G. Faccioli. 15. Rapid Propagation of Virus-tested Potatoes; A.A. Watad, et al. 16. Seed Certification as a Virus Management Tool; G.D. Franc. 17. Common Seed Potato Certification Schemes; O.A. Gutbrod, A.R. Mosley. 18. Emerging Potato Viruses that Confront Regulations; L.G. Brown. Index.