First report of Cucurbit leaf crumple virus in snap bean in Georgia
R. LARSEN (1), K. Kmiecik (2)
(1) USDA ARS, Prosser, WA, U.S.A.; (2) Seminis Vegetable Seeds, DeForest, WI, U.S.A.
Phytopathology 100:S68

During October and November, 2009, a large commercial field planted with snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) variety ‘Sea Biscuit’ in Tift County, GA was observed exhibiting virus-like foliar symptoms consisting of interveinal chlorosis and vein greening, blistering, rugosity and malformation. Pods were curled, misshapen, and unmarketable. Symptoms were associated with the presence of Bemesia tabaci and infection rate in the field was estimated at >75%. Total nucleic acid was extracted from symptomatic leaf samples, and then amplicons generated by PCR using a set of degenerate primers specific for begomovirus coat protein (AV1 gene) were cloned and sequenced. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the 533 bp fragment were 97% and 98% identical, respectively, with the Arizona isolate of Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV; a.k.a. Cucurbit leaf curl virus). Virus-like symptoms were observed in an adjacent field on variety ‘Eliminator’ where whiteflies were also present but the disease was determined not to be caused by CuLCrV. Hence, ‘Eliminator’ may be a potential source of resistance to the virus. CuLCrV has been restricted to cucurbits in California, Arizona and Florida until more recently when it was detected in fresh market beans in southwest Florida. This is the first report of CuLCrV in snap bean in Georgia. The increased area of detection suggests that the virus may pose a threat to common bean fields in other regions in the U.S. where B. tabacci are present.