Friday, March 29, 2024

Potato virus found in Canterbury

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The Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) has been discovered in potato tubers in Canterbury. Biosecurity New Zealand incident controller David Yard said PMTV is not a food safety issue.
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“Potato mop-top virus is a crop disease which, if found to be wide-spread, could cause some productivity issues for growers.

“It is a notifiable and unwanted organism in New Zealand under the Biosecurity Act.”

Yard said to date, potato tubers from two properties in the Canterbury region have tested positive for the virus. 

Further sampling is under way.

“This is the first time the virus has been found in New Zealand, however it is common in other countries.”

Potatoes New Zealand chief executive,Chris Claridge said the affected potatoes are from the Innovator variety, which are only used for potato chips.

“The industry is working closely with Biosecurity New Zealand to learn more about the virus, the impact it could have on growers, and to stop any risk of spread,” Claridge said.

“We will then consider if it is possible to eradicate it, or whether we will need to work with growers to manage its impact over the long term.”

The Innovator variety of potato was last imported as germplasm into New Zealand in July 2011.

Affected potatoes can display symptoms including distortions to the skin, deep cracking, and rust-coloured arcs, streaks or flecks in the tuber flesh.

Biosecurity New Zealand is investigating how the virus may have entered the country.

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