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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.
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.
BCTV is transmitted to nymphs of BLH when they feed on infected plants. While BLH carries the virus, it does not replicate within them or harm them. The virus cannot be passed on to BLH's offspring. The only way for offspring to become infected is if they feed on infected plants themselves. After ingestion, the virus moves from the BLH's digestive tract to their salivary glands. When the infected leafhoppers migrate and feed on healthy plants, they transmit the virus by consuming the plant's phloem. This transmission can continue throughout the BLH's lifetime, allowing them to infect various plants.
Transmission efficiency, which indicates how effectively an insect can spread the virus, is influenced by the amount of virus present in the BLH. This amount depends on two factors: the quantity of virus in the infected plant the BLH has fed on and the number of times it has fed on non-infected plants since its last feeding on a BCTV-infected plant.
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.
Reference
| Target | Cat. No. | Product Name | Size | Species | Application | Detection Sample | |
| BCTV | DEIAPV84 | Beet curly top virus (BCTV) ELISA Kit | 500T/1000T/5000T | Qualitative | host plants | Inquiry |
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