Detection of cucurbit leaf crumple virus infectious clones from the virus vector Bemisia tabaci

Authors: Andreason, Sharon; Kousik, Chandrasekar - Shaker

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV; Geminiviride) is a bipartite begomovirus transmitted by the whitefly species Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). CuLCrV is an emerging limiting factor in the production of cucurbits, especially watermelon, in the United States and is currently present in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and California, which have a combined production of approximately 80% of the country’s watermelon crop. To study the symptomology and disease progression of CuLCrV in watermelon and screen the germplasm for resistance to the virus, infectious clones of a local isolate of CuLCrV were developed. Watermelon cultivars All Sweet and Sweet Princess were agroinoculated at the 3rd true leaf stage by injecting a suspension (OD: 1.0) of mixed DNA A and DNA B clones into the hypocotyls. Plants were monitored for symptom development, and virus titers were measured at 4 weeks. After evaluation, clip cages containing 30 adult B. tabaci MEAM1 whiteflies of mixed sex reared on collards (cultivar: Georgia Southern) were placed on symptomatic leaves of the infected watermelon. Whiteflies were given an acquisition access period (AAP) of 60 hours and then tested for presence of CuLCrV. DNA was extracted from individual females and males and groups of 5 and 10 mixed sex whiteflies and tested using conventional and digital PCR. CuLCrV was detected in all individuals and groups fed on infected watermelon. Research is ongoing to evaluate virus titers in whiteflies and determine vector transmissibility of CuLCrV infectious clones to watermelon.