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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #424382
Research Project: Developing Decision Support Tools to Incorporate Hemp into Existing Farming Enterprises

Location: Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit

Title: An outbreak of beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent and Spiroplasma citri in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) grown in the Columbia Basin of Oregon

Author
item Rivedal, Hannah
item Temple, Todd
item LUKAS, SCOTT - Oregon State University
item SKILLMAN, VICTORIA - Oregon State University
item FUNKE, CASSANDRA - Oregon State University
item FROST, KENNETH - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2025
Publication Date: 6/18/2025
Citation: Rivedal, H.M., Temple, T.N., Lukas, S.B., Skillman, V.P., Funke, C.N., Frost, K.E. 2025. An outbreak of beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent and Spiroplasma citri in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) grown in the Columbia Basin of Oregon. Plant Health Progress. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-03-25-0101-BR.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-03-25-0101-BR

Interpretive Summary: This report details the first detection of Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii, beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent, and Spiroplasma citri, causing disease in Oregon cole crops. This report describes the molecular identification efforts for both of these pathogens which are difficult to culture. The confirmation of this pathogen in Oregon may have management implications for vegetable and hemp producers in the Columbia Basin.

Technical Abstract: Mycoplasmas transmitted by beet leafhoppers can be a yield-limiting problem in many crops including hemp, potatoes, carrots and many others. Until now, they have not been previously identified in cole crops in the Columbia Basin of Oregon. In 2021, beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent (Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii) and Spiroplasma citri were detected in cole crops (Brassica oleracea) in Morrow County Oregon. This report details the molecular identification efforts for both pathogens. The confirmation of both mycoplasmas in cabbage and Brussels sprouts in the Columbia Basin may have management implications for vegetable and hemp producers in the region.