P.M. Pradhanang , B.K Dhital, T.B. Gurung and A. Manandhar
Lumle Agricultural Research Centre, P.O. Box 1, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal

DOI

ABSTRACT

A survey was conducted in Mustang and Manang districts in June 1993 to determine the distribution of potato virus diseases in traditional potato growing areas. A total of 21 and 36 leaf samples, showing virus like symptoms, were collected from different parts of Mustang and Manang respectively to examine the presence of viruses by double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA. The suspected samples from Manang did not yield any viruses whereas, 17 samples from Mustang were found affected by potato viruses S, X and M either combinedly or alone. The frequency of PVS was highest (13 samples), followed by PVX (12 samples) and PVM (1 sample). The visual symptoms were not fully reliable for the presence of viruses when they are mild. However, all plants expressing severe mosaic symptom in the field yielded either PVX or PVS. This is the first report of the distribution of potato virus diseases in the inner Himalayan region of Nepal.