DEVELOPING THE USE OF CROP OILS FOR MANAGEMENT OF CURRENT-SEASON SPREAD OF POTATO VIRUS Y IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST POTATO

The goal of this project is to generaterecommendations specific to the Pacific Northwest on incorporation of crop oils into management of Potato virus Y in seed potato.Research ObjectivesMonitor alate aphids during the growing season in seed potato fields to clarify (a) the optimal timing to initiate crop oil sprays and (b) the relationship between aphid species / PVY strain composition during the season and PVY strain composition in plants after harvest (Wenninger, Olsen, Karasev)Examine the efficacy of crop oil applications in combination with reduced insecticide programs on PVY management in potato under Pacific Northwest conditions featuring overhead irrigation (Wenninger, Karasev)Evaluate with greenhouse experiments how overhead irrigation affects efficacy of crop oil in reducing PVY (Wenninger, Karasev)Extension Objective4. Disseminate results of research projects to stakeholders, and educate potato growers on the use of crop oils in managing PVY via extension programming that includes field days, workshops, print, and web resources (Wenninger, Olsen, Karasev)