Potato leafroll virus: A re‐emerging threat to sustainable potato production

Abstract Potato leafroll virus (PLRV, species Polerovirus PLRV ) is a positive‐strand RNA virus, a member of the genus Polerovirus within the family Solemoviridae . Virus particles of PLRV are isometric, 24 nm in diameter. PLRV is the causal agent of leafroll disease in potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) which is present in all potato‐growing regions worldwide and causes significant losses in yield and quality of potato tubers. PLRV is transmitted in a persistent, non‐replicative manner by aphid vectors and via infected tubers produced by PLRV‐infected potato plants. In the past, PLRV incidence has been contained by applying insecticides to control vector aphids; however, changes in agronomic practices and a warmer environment have led to the re‐emergence of PLRV as a threat to potato production systems.