The effects of new treatments on PVY infected potato plants under drought conditions.

The effects of treatments with Satureja hortensis essential oils and exogenous H2O2 were evaluated in plants, testing positive after Potato virus Y (PVY) infection, under drought conditions. In vitro PVY infected and uninfected plants were transferred to a green-house, injected with a Satureja hortensis essential oils suspension and sprayed twice a week with H2O2 (1 mM, pH 5.6). Under drought conditions, minitubers produced by infected and treated plants had significantly more starch than the controls. The treatments had positive effects on infected minitubers, such as weight, reduction of number, starch content and sprouting. A signal role for Satureja hortensis essential oils and hydrogen peroxide in lessening symptoms is suggested.