The application of oils has the potential to assist in the control of non-persistent viruses in potato seed crops. However, more work is required to establish the effects on seed crops here in the UK, due to in-season seed certification inspections, said Eric Anderson of Scottish Agronomy, who is leading a project looking at the practicalities of using oils in seed production.
Oils have been shown to offer a reduction in the acquisition and transmission of non-persistent viruses by these vectors, creating a non-stick coating on the aphid stylet and preventing the virus being carried to neighbouring plants.
However, questions still remain whether they can be applied to UK seed crops.
