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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Canal Point, Florida » Sugarcane Field Station » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #363202
Research Project: Identification of Resistant Germplasm and Markers Associated with Resistance to Major Diseases of Sugarcane

Location: Sugarcane Field Station

Title: Detection of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus and Sugarcane mosaic in arthropods collected from corn, sorghum and sugarcane in Florida

Author
item TANG, L - University Of Florida
item BOUKARI, W - University Of Florida
item Sood, Sushma
item HINCAPIE, M - University Of Florida
item ROTT, PHILLIPE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2019
Publication Date: 12/29/2019
Citation: Tang, L., Boukari, W., Sood, S.G., Hincapie, M., Rott, P. 2019. Detection of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus and Sugarcane mosaic in arthropods collected from corn, sorghum and sugarcane in Florida. American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 39:27.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: In Florida, sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), Columbus grass (Sorghum almum), and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) are three hosts of sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV). SCYLV is the causal agent of yellow leaf disease and is mainly vectored by the sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari). Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), the causal agent of mosaic disease, has been reported in at least six grass species in Florida and is spread by several aphid vectors. The objective of this study was to investigate occurrence of SCYLV and SCMV in arthropods collected in the Everglades Agricultural Area in order to better understand the epidemiology of these viruses. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or nested RT-PCR was used to detect the two viruses in plants and arthropods. SCYLV and SCMV were both detected in sugarcane, Columbus grass, and grain sorghum. SCYLV was also found in M. sacchari, Oligonychus grypus (spider mite), and Sipha flava (yellow sugarcane aphid) but SCMV was not detected in these arthropods. Populations of M. sacchari collected from sugarcane belonged to haplotype H3 whereas populations of the sugarcane aphid colonizing Columbus grass and grain sorghum belonged to haplotype H1. This suggested that cross-infections of SCYLV between sugarcane and the two sorghum species do not frequently occur under field conditions. Capacity of spider mites and the yellow leaf aphid to transmit SCYLV needs to be investigated. Vectors of SCMV in Florida are different from those of SCYLV and remain to be identified.