Project Number: 5305-22000-010-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Aug 31, 2003
End Date: Apr 30, 2008

Objective:
To address the virus disease problems affecting sugarbeet and vegetable industries in the United States, in particular, soil-borne and insect-transmitted viruses. To improve plant productivity by increasing our understanding of the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and vector biology of sugarbeet, vegetable, and interrelated crop and weed viruses with emphasis on ecologically sound management practices for control of virus diseases.

Approach:
Research on rhizomania disease of sugarbeet will focus on biological and molecular characterization of a resistance breaking strain of BNYVV and related soil-borne viruses. Studies on lettuce dieback, an emerging soil-borne virus disease of lettuce, will focus on determination of epidemiological factors affecting symptom development, spread and development and characterization of sources of resistance. Research on whitefly-transmitted criniviruses of tomato, lettuce, and other crops will concentrate on virus characterization, vector transmission, and identification of resistance. Studies on virus yellows of sugarbeet will focus on developing tools for monitoring outbreaks of yellowing viruses, as well as characterization of molecular mechanisms of synergistic interactions leading to increased disease severity in the yellows complex. We will continue to identify and address problems associated with emerging and re-emerging viruses affecting sugarbeet and vegetable production in the United States. Knowledge gained will be used for development of improved management strategies for viral diseases. BSL-1; 02/2003. Replaced 5305-22000-007-00D.