Economic Impact and Eco-Physiological Management of Latent Potato Virus Infections in the Zarafshan Oasis, Uzbekistan

Abstract

Latent viral infections pose a hidden but economically devastating threat to seed potato systems, yet their true impact is often underestimated. This study quantified the prevalence of asymptomatic potato viruses across an altitudinal gradient and evaluated their physiological and economic consequences using ELISA diagnostics.
Field experiments were conducted at 750, 1000, and 1200 m a.s.l. with four cultivars. Visual scoring and DAS-ELISA were applied to detect PVX, PVS, PVM, PVY, and PLRV. Yield penalties, deterioration of tuber quality, and economic losses were modelled.
Latent infections affected 36.4–92.0% of plants, with PVY predominating (61.4% in lowlands). Mixed infections reduced marketable yield by >40%. Economic modelling revealed that undetected latent infections could reduce net revenue by up to 34.5% per hectare. ELISA-based screening proved cost-effective, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1:4.7.
Routine post-harvest ELISA screening combined with high-altitude seed multiplication offers an economically viable strategy for sustainable seed potato production