The Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Agricultural Technology Institute Potato Research Institute recently urged thorough control measures for farmers due to the increased risk of seed potato virus disease as the overwintering period of virus-transmitting insects shortens with rising temperatures due to climate change. Since there are no control agents for the virus, rapid pesticide spraying at the early stages of insect occurrence is crucial, and removing diseased plants immediately is the most effective management method when the disease occurs in the field. To control virus-transmitting insects, it is necessary to disinfect cutting tools with boiling water during the seed potato division work to prevent sap transmission, use sticky traps for early detection and rapid pesticide spraying, and remove weeds around the field that serve as habitats for aphids. [Yonhap News Agency Photo] (Chuncheon = Yonhap News Agency) Reporter Yang Ji-woong = The Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Agricultural Technology Institute Potato Research Institute recently urged thorough control measures for farmers due to the increased risk of seed potato virus disease as the overwintering period of virus-transmitting insects shortens with rising temperatures due to climate change. Currently, the viruses mainly occurring in seed potatoes are 'Potato Virus Y' (PVY) and 'Potato Leaf Roll Virus' (PLRV), both transmitted by peach-potato aphids. PVY causes mosaic or yellowing symptoms on leaves, splits on the potato surface like a turtle shell, and in severe cases, ginger deformity. PLRV causes the lower leaves to curl upwards from the tips, forming a spoon shape, and the leaves easily break when the symptoms are severe. Since there are no control agents for the virus, rapid pesticide spraying at the early stages of insect occurrence is crucial, and removing diseased plants immediately is the most effective management method when the disease occurs in the field. To control virus-transmitting insects, it is necessary to disinfect cutting tools with boiling water during the seed potato division work to prevent sap transmission, use sticky traps for early detection and rapid pesticide spraying, and remove weeds around the field that serve as habitats for aphids. Potato Research Institute Director Park Jong-yeol said on the 13th, "As seed potato planting begins in earnest in Pyeongchang and other areas from mid-month, continuous monitoring and promotion for virus disease prevention will minimize farmer damage..."