Abstract: The progresses of research on potato mop top virus (PMTV) were reviewed in this paper. The distribution and transmission, molecular characteristic, symptoms, pathogenic mechanism of PMTV and its detection methods were briefly introduced. The virus occurred in potatoes grown in high-latitude or high-altitude regions with cooler climates and was transmitted by seeds and Spongospora subterranea, the causal agent of potato powdery scab disease .and could cause potato spraing, a serious tuber disease whose symptoms include necrotic arcs and lines in infected tubers. The particularity of PMTV and the difficulty to prevention of this virus were analyzed. The further researches should be focus on the interaction of powdery scab fungus, potato plants and PMTV, and on mining the resistance genes and carrying out potato breeding for the resistance to PMTV, and on the establishment of a rapid and accurate PMTV detection method, and on strategy for control and management of both powdery scab and PMTV.