Biology, Epidemiology and Management of Vector-borne Viruses of Sugarbeet and Vegetable Crops

Objective 1: Identify specific genes associated with Beet necrotic yellow vein virus infection of sugarbeet that contribute to development of rhizomania disease and the ability of the virus to overcome resistance for use as potential targets for induced resistance. This will involve comparisons with other soil-borne pathogens using inhouse funds. Completion within 5 years. Objective 2: Determine environmental and epidemiological factors contributing to the ability of sugarbeet and vegetable viruses to emerge and establish over competing viruses, to provide effective disease management recommendations and prolong the durability of resistance sources. Specifically: 2.A. Determine the effect of variation among Polymyxa betae isolates on prevalence and dominance of soil-borne viruses affecting sugarbeet, including evaluation of virus competitiveness through collaborative studies involving this project using both in-house funds and those of a local collaborator in NP308. Completion within 5 years. 2.B. Assess accumulation of CYSDV in different host plants in relation to transmission and in development of host resistance using both in-house funds and collaboration with ARS Salinas vegetable breeding program (NP301). Completion within 5 years. 2.C. Identification of factors influencing emergence and dominance of existing and new curtoviruses in North America through analysis of competitive virus accumulation in host plants. Research will involve in-house funds, with completion within 3 years. Objective 3: Determine environmental and cultural factors contributing to the ability of viruses to induce disease to facilitate breeding efforts for resistance to soil-borne and insect-transmitted viruses affecting lettuce. Completion of both subobjectives within 5 years using both in-house funds and collaboration with Salinas vegetable project (NP301). 3.A. Develop methods for greenhouse-based evaluation of lettuce for resistance to soilborne tombusviruses through identification of environmental factors influencing disease development, and application of this knowledge to germplasm evaluation using controlled environments. 3.B. Identify sources of tospovirus resistance through evaluation of lettuce and Lactuca germplasm using mechanical transmission and viruliferous thrips under greenhouse conditions, for further development by breeders. Objective 4: Determine biological and ecological relationships among vectors and their host plants, the pathogens they transmit, and the environment, and develop novel intervention and management strategies for control of vector-borne diseases of vegetables, through the use of traditional, molecular biology, and bioinformatics approaches.