Potato Virus Y (PVY) is the cause of more rejections of certified seed acreage in the U.S. than any other disease or quality issue. Since 2001 in Colorado, PVY has contributed to the loss of 17 certified seed growers, a drop of 8,000 acres in certified seed production, and the accumulated rejection of 50,000 acres of certified seed. Continued seed rejections and increasing PVY inoculum levels in the San Luis Valley have brought seed and commercial potato farmers together to overcome this threat! Through the passing of the Potato Seed Act in 2012 and subsequent changes to the Seed Act, the industry continually collaborates with state and certification personnel to fight this problem. Even though this latest rule change didn’t go into effect until 2025, there are already signs of improvement. We will take a close look at the Colorado potato industry’s plan to combat PVY.
Andrew Houser, Manager, Colorado Potato Certification Service, Colorado State University