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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301424
Title: Whitefly transmission of Sweet potato leaf curl virus in sweetpotato germplasm

Author
item Simmons, Alvin
item Ling, Kai-Shu
item Jackson, D
item Harrison Jr, Howard

Submitted to: International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop Abstracts & Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2014
Publication Date: 4/14/2014
Citation: Simmons, A.M., Ling, K., Jackson, D.M., Harrison Jr, H.F. 2014. Whitefly transmission of Sweet potato leaf curl virus in sweetpotato germplasm. International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop Abstracts & Proceedings. p. 39.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., is among an extensive number of plant species attacked by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). Because this important world food crop is vegetatively propagated, it can conveniently accumulate infections by several viruses. Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) (ssDNA viruses: Geminiviridae), is a Begomovirus problem in sweetpotato production in the United States and elsewhere. It is vectored by B. tabaci. SPLCV infections (by whiteflies and by plant grafting) were determined by combined bioassays using a sensitive species (Ipomoea setosa Ker Gawl.) as an indicator plant, and by conventional and real-time PCR technology. Laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments were conducted on: sweetpotato germplasm performance, host range, and SPLCV transmission. Individual B. tabaci acquired and transmitted SPLCV. Several Ipomea species were identified as alternative hosts for SPLCV. SPLCV infection resulted in a dramatic yield reduction in sweetpotato; yields of some sweetpotato germplasms were reduced more than others. Many of the infected genotypes displayed little or no physical symptoms. Thus, SPLCV transmissions by B. tabaci pose a serious threat to sweetpotato production worldwide. These findings will help in understanding the factors influencing the epidemiology of SPLCV in the sweetpotato field and in the development of sweetpotato germplasm that have resistance to SPLCV.