Potato virus Y (PVY) infects a wide host range mainly within the Solanaceae and is distributed worldwide. PVY is transmitted by more than 40 aphid species in a non persistent manner. Isolates of the PVY species are highly variable at biological, serological and molecular levels. Epidemiological studies have highlighted the emergence of distinct potato PVY variants able to induce necroses on potato tubers. Due to the lack of efficient resistance to PVY isolates inducing necrotic symptoms in cultivated varieties and the plant-to-plant transmission of isolates through the daughter tubers, PVY has become the most economically important virus for the potato industry. The review offers an overview of several decades of research on PVY but also focuses on the latest data obtained by expert on PVY worldwide on the biological characteristics of PVY, interactions between aphids-hosts, its evolution and management. Identified knowledge gaps to understand further PVY biology will be discussed.

Dr. Christophe Lacomme, Science& Advice for Scottish Agricult, United Kingdom

Prof. Dirk Bellstedt, Stellenbosch University, Department of Biochemistry, South Africa

Assoc.Prof. Alexander Karasev, University of Idaho, Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, USA

Dr. Laurent Glais, FN3PT/RD3PT, INRA,UMR 1349 IGEPP, France

Dr. Brice Dupuis, Agroscope, Institute for Plant Production Sciences IPS, Switzerland

1.General Characteristics of Potato virus Y (PVY) and its Impact on Potato Production: an Overview. 2. Molecular and Cellular Events during Infection of Potato by PVY.- 3. Diversity, Characterisation and Classification of PVY.- 4. Evolution and Origin of PVY.- 5. Detection and Diagnosis of PVY.- 6. Transmission and Epidemiology of Potato virus Y.- 7. Potato virus Y: Control, Management and Seed Certification Programmes.-8. Resistance to Potato virus Y in Potato.- 9. Host groups of Potato virus Y: Vanishing barriers.