Interference of Potato Virus Y Transmission by Aphids Using Small Peptide Inhibitors
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Josie Weese, Vamsi Nalam
Presenter(s): Josie Weese
Mentors(s): Jinlong Han
Disease caused by Potato virus Y (PVY) is the major yield-limiting factor in potato production. PVY is naturally transmitted between plants by aphid vectors. Control of in-season PVY spread relies heavily on insecticides to suppress the vector populations. However, due to the competence of aphids to transmit PVY within seconds before being killed by chemicals, insecticides are generally inefficient in controlling PVY spread. To block the virus transmission by aphids, we developed small synthetic peptides as antiviral molecules to compete against the virus-binding site in the aphid stylet. The outcome of this work will help reduce the spread of PVY by aphids, while restoring the health of the ecosystem by lowering the use or need of environmentally harmful insecticides. As PVY also causes damage to other agronomically important crops, the end product of our study will help protect not only the potato industries, but also other susceptible crops across the states. Currently in this project we are testing different delivery methods of the peptide to see how it can be most effectively applied in the field.