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Multi-Year Evaluations of an FTA Card-Based Detection Protocol for Four Vector-Borne Viruses Affecting Potato
Jason Ingram1, Chakradhar Mattupalli2, Erika Mudrak3
1Emerging Pest and Pathogens Unit, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca, NY 14853, U.S.A.
Plant Disease
|April 29, 2025
Summary
A new FTA card test protocol using dormant potato tubers detects four potato viruses faster and cheaper than traditional methods. This rapid detection aids seed potato growers in managing multiple pathogen risks effectively.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Traditional post-harvest seed potato grow-outs for virus detection are time-consuming.
- Accurate and timely pathogen detection is crucial for seed potato certification and disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an FTA card-based protocol for detecting four key potato viruses from dormant tubers.
- To compare the accuracy and timeliness of the FTA card method against established detection techniques.
Main Methods:
- Developed an FTA card protocol for detecting potato virus Y (PVY), potato virus S (PVS), potato mop top virus (PMTV), and tobacco rattle virus (TRV) from dormant tubers.
- Compared FTA card tests (Harvest-FTA, Storage-FTA, Sprouting-FTA) with tuber, sprout, and leaf-based assays (Sprout-ELISA, Sprout-RPA, Leaf-RPA, Leaf-ELISA).
- Validated the FTA card method in on-farm field trials for PVY, PMTV, and TRV detection.
Main Results:
- The Harvest-FTA method showed high accuracy (92.9% for PVY, 93.8% for PVS) and provided results 90 days earlier than Leaf-ELISA.
- Leaf-based assays underreported PMTV and TRV detection compared to tuber and sprout FTA card methods.
- On-farm trials demonstrated 89% accuracy, 92% sensitivity, and 87% specificity for PVY detection using the Farm-FTA Test Method, with results three months ahead of official certification.
Conclusions:
- The FTA card-based protocol offers a rapid, cost-effective, and accurate method for detecting multiple potato viruses from dormant tubers.
- This approach significantly reduces reliance on slow grow-out methods and enables earlier management decisions for seed potato growers.
- The validated on-farm implementation highlights the practical utility of FTA card technology in seed potato certification programs.
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