Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV)

Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV) is a geminate virus with twinned particles and single-stranded DNA. It is transmitted by the beet leafhopper (BLH, Circulifer tenellus) and can infect over 300 plant species in 44 families. The virus can be acquired by the vector within minutes of feeding on an infected plant and can be transmitted for a month or longer. BCTV is widely distributed in the western United States and other semi-arid regions of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

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Structure of BCTV

At its core, BCTV belongs to the family Geminiviridae and the genus Curtovirus. It possesses single-stranded circular DNA enclosed within a twinned icosahedral capsid. The genome consists of three viral sense and four complementary open reading frames (ORFs) responsible for replication and the development of disease symptoms. Notably, the ORF Complementary 1 (C1) encodes the replication initiator protein (Rep), which initiates replication within the host cell. Additional ORFs, such as C2 and C4, play crucial roles in pathogenicity and symptom development.

Figure 1. Linearized diagram of BCTV-Svr genome.
(Source: Anabestani, A. et al., 2017)

BCTV has multiple strains, including CFH, Worland, and California/Logan, identified through molecular characterization. However, the virus taxonomy is subject to change due to ongoing research. Different strains exhibit varying levels of virulence, and host plants display varying levels of susceptibility. Since both the virus and the BLH vector have a broad host range, the disease affects numerous plant species.

Management Strategies

BCTV has had a significant negative impact on agriculture, leading to substantial yield losses and economic repercussions. For instance, when the virus was first recognized in 1907, California farmers experienced severe losses in their crops. Similarly, the sugar beet industry in Idaho faced near devastation until resistant varieties were developed in the 1930s. The virus has also affected crops in other regions, such as Washington, causing significant damage and posing ongoing challenges for farmers. Therefore, effective management of BCTV is crucial, which requires a combination of preventive measures and control strategies.

• Plant Resistance
  Developing and cultivating BCTV-resistant plant varieties is an effective long-term strategy.
• Vector Control
  Chemical and biological control methods can be employed to manage the vector population of BCTV. In rangeland, insecticides can be utilized to decrease the number of vectors. In beet fields, the application of insecticides to the soil and seeds can effectively reduce vector populations and slow down the progression of the disease.
• Cultural Practices
  Vector management practices for BCTV involve scouting to determine treatment thresholds and implementing measures that delay infection. These measures include early planting and effective weed management to reduce both the reservoirs of the virus and the population of the leafhopper vector.
• Planting Time and Location
  Strategic planting time and location can mitigate BCTV risk. Planting during periods when leafhopper populations are low can reduce the likelihood of infection. Additionally, selecting planting sites away from known infected areas can help minimize the spread of the virus.

BCTV-ELISA Kit