Moscow region of Russia suffer from potato disease
Date:11-27-2009
Potatoes of the Moscow Region appear to suffer from a dangerous virus
-- this fact may lead to quarantine and total export ban for this vegetable. Russian sanitary inspectors found infection sites of so-called "Andi" virus in Ramenskiy and Dmitrovskiy districts of the Moscow Region. Currently inspectors are performing additional tests of sample potatoes.
"Andi" virus was previously detected only in Latin America. If it [adapts well in Russia, 30 percent of potato crops would be lost].
The virus lives only inside potato tubers, that is why other cultures should be grown on a potato field 2-3 years after cropping. Seed potatoes can spread the virus.
An infected potato plant can be visually distinguished from healthy ones -- it is smaller and has a light or dark green colour with mosaic patterns of leaves. This plant wont give any potatoes.