ARS | Publication request: DISTRIBUTION AND SPREAD IN LOUISIANA OF THE LUTEOVIRUS ASSOCIATED WITH YELLOW LEAF SYNDROME OF SUGARCANE

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 7, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Yellow leaf syndrome (YLS) has been reported to cause yield decline of sugarcane in several countries throughout the world. Symptoms of YLS include yellowing of the lower surface of the leaf midrib followed a general yellowing of the leaf blade and dying of the leaf from the tip. In 1996, several foundation plants of three Louisiana cultivars used as sources of tissue for micropropagation were found to be infected by the luteovirus reported to cause YLS. Among germplasm nurseries, two Louisiana cultivars and eight non-Louisiana cultivars were infected by the YLS virus. No characteristic symptoms were observed in either case, but the virus was detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. In 1997, virus assays of plants from fields surrounding those planted with virus-infected cane stalks revealed no spread of the virus. However, in 1998, virus spread, most commonly into fields of the leading commercial cultivar in Louisiana (LCP85-384), and development of symptoms among infected plants caused increased concern about the potential effect of the disease.