Viruses and their significance in agricultural and horticultural crops in Finland

Authors

• Eeva Tapio Department of Plant Biology, Plant Pathology Section, PO Box 28, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
• Katri Bremer Agricultural Research Centre of Finland Institute of Plant Protection, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, and Department of Plant Biology, Plant Pathology Section, PO. Box 28, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
• Jari P. T. Valkonen Institute of Biotechnology, PO Box 56, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, and Department of Plant Biology, Plant Pathology Section, PO Box 28, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72795

Abstract

This paper reviews the plant viruses and virus vectors that have been detected in agricultural and horticultural crop plants and some weeds in Finland. The historical and current importance of virus diseases and the methods used for controlling them in cereals, potato, berry plants, fruit trees, ornamental plants and vegetables are discussed. Plant viruses have been intensely studied in Finland over 40 years. Up to date, 44 plant virus species have been detected, and many tentatively identified viruses are also reported. Control of many virus diseases has been significantly improved. This has been achieved mainly through changes in cropping systems, production of healthy seed potatoes and healthy stocks of berry plants, fruit trees and ornamental plants in the institutes set up for such production, and improved hygiene. At the present, barley yellow dwarf luteovirus, potato Y potyvirus and potato mop-top furovirus are considred to be economically the most harmful plant viruses in Finland.