Determination of Suitable Areas for Potato Seed Production in Hamedan Provinces Based upon Alates Aphids Population Monitoring

In order to study the seasonal population fluctuations and density of aphid species (vector of potato viruses) in Hamedan province during 1999–2003, four important potato-growing areas (Hamedan, Kaboudarahang, Asadabad, and Ghahavand) were studied using, yellow water traps. Among collected aphids, four species belonging to Aphididae and one to Drepanosiphidae were identified in potato fields. In all the study areas Therioaphis trifolii was dominant species with 65 – 91% of total population present through out the years. Other species including Acyrthosiphon pisum, Myzus persicae, Macrosiphom euphorbiae,and Aphis frangullae gossypii were reported as vector of important potato viruses in potato fileds. Based on collected data, there were diffrences in species variation and density as well as in duration of presence in different study areas. These differences were employed as criteria to set the studied areas in three groups of: suitable, intermediate and unsuitable. The lowest species number and the shortest duration time of presence of aphid were found for Kaboudarahang location. Therefore this location was recommended as a suitable place for potato seed production. Because of species richness, high density of aphids and the longest period of presence time, Hamedan was distinguished as an unsuitable area. The other locations were set in an intermediate group.