Chemotherapy of Potato Virus Y Infecting Potato Plants Using Antiviral Drugs

Abstract

Background and Objective: Potato Virus Y (PVY) is classified as the most dangerous viral pathogen that infects potato plants and lowers the yield quantity and quality of tubers. Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating three antiviral compounds (ribavirin, acyclovir and oseltamivir) at different concentrations for the management of potato virus Y and potato growth parameters. Materials and Methods: DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR were used for the identification of PVY isolates. Virus concentration was measured by DAS-ELISA 1 and 2 weeks post-inoculation. The plant growth parameters (plant height, leaf number/plant, chlorophyll content and leaf area) were measured 40 and 80 days post-planting. Fresh and dry weights of plants and tubers weight/plant were measured 95 days after planting. Results: Oseltamivir and ribavirin were the most effective compounds in reducing virus concentration (0.442 and 0.447, respectively) when compared to PVY-infected control. Interestingly, among all plant growth parameters measured, only the leaf area was affected with no significant differences between preventive and curative applications. The highest fresh weight per plant was obtained by ribavirin (19.72 g) followed by acyclovir (19.50 g) and oseltamivir (17.55 g) compared to the PVY-infected control treatment (12 g) and the healthy, untreated control (24.66 g) with significant differences between preventive and curative applications. Conclusion: All antiviral compounds used reduced the virus concentration in the preventive and curative applications. Fresh, dry weights of potato plants and tuber weight were significantly increased by the application of all antiviral compounds. While, all compounds did not affect the chlorophyll content, leaf number/plant and plant height.