M A R C H 2 0 1 8 POTATO GROWER 29 Minnesota fields, although none was detected in seed potato fields. In order to detect certain virus diseases, samples from all classes are required to be winter tested. Samples of seed lots started to arrive at the East Grand Forks office in late September for the post-har- vest winter test. Once all seed lots arrived, they were organized by variety, palletized and placed in a temperature controlled trailer where they were treat- ed with Bromoethane, to break dorman- cy. They left East Grand Forks on Oct 30th and arrived in Hawaii on Nov 11th. The potatoes were planted under the supervision of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) on Nov 28 -29, 2017 at Twin Bridge Farms in Waialua, Oahu, Hawaii. MDA inspectors were in Hawaii from Jan 2 – 20, 2018 to certify the 2017 crop. The plots were in great shape upon arrival with growth at an ideal stage for identi- fying virus. The cooperating owners, Milt Agadar and Al Modrano, along with their staff, consistently do a fantastic job of maintaining the plots, as seen in the photo. All of the latent virus lot testing and individual leaf testing (confirmation) were conducted by Dr. Mike Melzer’s laboratory at the University of Hawaii using ELISA technique. A total of 2,628 leaves were tested this year. Mike and his staff of students, grad students and staff do a wonderful job supporting Minne- sota and other seed certification agen- cies and always provide timely results. Minnesota also participated in the national PVYNTN survey that was con- ducted by Dr. Stewart Gray. There was a slight uptick in the amount of PVYNTN & PVYWilga over last year. This follows the national trend of strain prevalence as compared to the common strain of PVYO, which was absent in this year’s sampling. Although 2017 was a high aphid vector year, the amount of virus present was similar to that of 2016. The number of lots and acres passing were also similar.