ARS | Publication request: PURPLE TOP, BLTVA, AND LEAFHOPPERS: AN UPDATE

Submitted to: Potato Progress
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2004
Publication Date: March 2, 2004
Citation: Jensen, A., Hamm, P., Thomas, P.E., Crosslin, J., Munyaneza, J.E., Schreiber, A., Pike, K. 2004. Purple top, bltva, and leafhoppers: an update. Potato Progress. March Vol. IV(3):1-3.

Interpretive Summary: The purple top disease of potato in the Columbia Basin is caused by a phytoplasma closely related to or identical to the beet leafhopper-transmitted viresence agent or the clover proliferation phytoplasma. Symptoms caused by the phytoplasma are not readily distinguishable from those caused by the potato leafroll virus (PLRV). Foliar insecticide treatments during the spring flight of the beet leafhopper in late May and early June control the disease, but soil applied, systemic insecticides do not.

Technical Abstract: The phytoplasma that causes the purple top disease of potato in the Columbia Basin was identified as closely related to or identical to the beet leafhopper-transmitted viresence agent or the clover proliferation phytoplasma. The range of symptoms caused by the phytoplasma overlap those caused by potato leafroll virus (PLRV). The most common leafhopper species that occur in the region were identified, but only the beet leafhopper has been tested for competency in transmission of BLTVA. Foliar insecticide treatments during the spring flight of the beet leafhopper in late May and early June markedly reduced disease in potato fields, but soil applied, systemic insecticides did not.