How to Identify and Manage Potato Leaf Roll Virus for Healthier Yields

When it comes to potatoes, we all dream of hefty harvests and firm, golden tubers. But if the plants start to curl upward, look pale and sickly, and produce disappointing, stunted potatoes, it could be down to Potato Leaf Roll Virus. This sneaky virus often goes unnoticed until it’s too late, but with the right knowledge, we can spot it early and stop it in its tracks.

Let’s dig into what to look for, how it spreads, and how you can prevent it from wreaking havoc on your spud patch.

What Is Potato Leaf Roll Virus?

Potato Leaf Roll Virus is a viral disease that affects the entire potato plant, from its leaves right down to the tubers. It’s mainly spread by aphids, particularly the green peach aphid and also through infected seed potatoes. Once it’s in the crop, it can severely reduce yield and quality, with infected tubers often failing to store properly.

Key Symptoms of PLRV

Symptoms can vary depending on the variety and stage of infection, but some signs to watch out for include:

• Upward-curling leaves with a stiff, leathery texture
  
• Pale green or yellowing foliage, especially near the tops of the plants
  
• Reduced plant vigour and slow growth
  
• Small, misshapen tubers, often with internal browning
  
• Poor tuber yield and low storage quality

In some cases, symptoms don’t show until later in the season, making early detection tricky but not impossible.

How Potato Leaf Roll Virus Spreads

This virus has two main pathways:

• Aphids, especially winged ones, which pick up the virus from infected plants and pass it to healthy ones.
  
• Infected seed potatoes, which carry the virus from one season to the next.

That second point is crucial. Using saved or shop-bought spuds can unknowingly introduce PLRV to the garden, where it can persist and multiply.

How to Manage Potato Leaf Roll Virus

There’s no cure for PLRV once a plant is infected, but that doesn’t mean we’re helpless. Smart growing practices can keep the garden healthy and productive.

Start With Certified Seed Potatoes

Always plant certified virus-free seed potatoes from a trusted supplier. This is the single most effective way to avoid introducing PLRV to the garden.

Control Aphids Organically

Early and consistent aphid control is vital. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds and lacewings by planting companion flowers such as calendula and yarrow. Regularly check the undersides of leaves and use organic sprays like neem oil or garlic soap if infestations appear.

Rogue Out Infected Plants

If any plants start showing signs of PLRV, remove them immediately, roots and all. This helps prevent aphids from spreading the virus to nearby healthy plants. Don’t compost infected plants; instead, dispose of them in the bin.

Use Floating Row Covers

These lightweight mesh fabrics act as a barrier to aphids without affecting airflow or light. Particularly useful in the early stages of growth when plants are most vulnerable.

Don’t Save Seed Potatoes

Even if the plants looked healthy, the virus can lurk unseen in the tubers. Avoid saving your own seed unless you’re 100% sure the crop was virus-free.

Practice Good Crop Rotation

Avoid planting potatoes in the same soil year after year. Give beds at least a 3-year break between potato crops to reduce the risk of reinfection.

Potato Leaf Roll Virus may be a silent yield killer, but it doesn’t have to win. With a focus on prevention, early detection, and a little garden discipline, we can protect our spuds and enjoy the kind of bumper harvests we all dream of. Healthy potatoes start with healthy practices and it all begins the moment we choose our seed.