Seed Potatoes, Virus Management, and the Nonadoption of an Agricultural Innovation

Beginning in 2012, seed potatoes in Washington State were associated with an outbreak of Potato virus Y (PVY), one of the oldest known plant viruses. The PVY outbreak seriously impacted commercial potato growers, who unknowingly purchased infected seed potatoes. Commercial potato growers, university researchers, and extension personnel blamed Washington seed potato growers for the PVY outbreak. Drawing on the literature about perceptions of innovation attributes, nonadoption of agricultural innovations, and farm-level disease management, we offer a broader perspective on PVY management among Washington seed potato growers. We explore the reasons behind seed potato growers' nonadoption of a specific innovation that has the potential to protect potatoes from PVY problems. We argue that seed potato growers approach PVY management in logical and intentional ways, and have distinct reasons for choosing not to adopt certain PVY management practices. Our study contributes to scholarship on the perceived attributes and nonadoption of agricultural innovations, as well as interdisciplinary work on plant disease management. A better understanding of PVY management decision making can help efforts to ensure agricultural biosecurity, maintain crop quality and yield, and prevent economic losses within the potato industry in Washington State, the second largest producer of potatoes in the United States.