az1931 June 2021

Beet Curly Top Virus In

Industrial Hemp
Jiahuai Hu and Robert Masson

Introduction
Curly top of sugar beet, caused by Beet Curly Top Virus the beet leafhopper insect. BCTV typically causes upward
(BCTV), was first reported in Nebraska in 1888. BCTV curling of the leaves associated with vein clearing and the
has since become widespread in the arid and semiarid tumorous outgrowths (enations on the lower surface of
parts of the Western United States, the Mediterranean veins) as well as a reduction in chlorophyll content and
Basin and Middle East. It has caused frequent and often the rate of photosynthesis. The resulting curly top disease
very destructive outbreaks on many commercial crops significantly reduces yield potential of the plant if it is
throughout the Western United States. In Arizona, BCTV infected at young age. Due to the wide distribution of beet
is a very serious plant virus affecting hemp and hundreds leafhoppers and abundant range of host plants for the
of ornamental and commercial crops. Hemp appears to virus, BCTV may become one of the most yield limiting
be a highly susceptible host for the virus, in particular factors affecting the emerging industrial hemp production
young plants are most susceptible to infection spread by systems in Arizona.

Early stages of stunting and yellowing Yellowing and necrosis

 Early mosaic symptom of BCTV on hemp leaf

Geographic Range Host Range

BCTV is widespread in California, Arizona, New BCTV is endemic to 300 species of dicotyledonous plant
Mexico, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and six other states. It of 44 families (mostly confined to the Chenopodiaceae ,
is also found in ten other states. BCTV was first reported Compositae , Cruciferae , Leguminosae , and Solanaceae).
on outdoor industrial hemp of North Fork Valley, Delta This very wide host range includes many commercial crops,
County, Western Colorado, in all seasons between 2015 ornamentals, and weed species. In Arizona, commercial
and 2020. In 2019, BCTV was also noted in hemp plants crops include peppers, beans, melons, cabbage, spinach,
cucurbits, and tomatoes. Weed species include kochia,
grown in California. In 2020, severe outbreaks of BCTV
lambsquarter, halogeton, Russian thistle, greasewood,
were observed in several hemp fields in Arizona, where
four wing saltbrush, filaree, hoary cress, tumble mustard,
disease incidence and severity were considerably high, up
flixweed, and pigweed.
to 100% crop loss occurring in some fields. This publication
will primarily focus on BCTV found in Yuma County
Cooperative Extension variety trials planted in Yuma and
Spread
commercial hemp fields located in Safford valley, Graham BCTV is spread primarily by the phloem feeding
county, AZ. leafhoppers: Circulifer tenellus (beet leafhopper) in the
United States, C. opacipennis in the Mediterranean Basin,
and C. haematoceps in the Middle East. Beet leafhoppers are
Pathogens
migratory sap sucking insects that feed primarily in phloem,
BCTV is a member species of Curtovirus in the family where they rapidly acquire the virus (as short as 1 min). The
of Geminiviruses. It is a small DNA virus (less than 50 virus cannot replicate in the insect, but the insect can remain
nm; 1 nm = 25 millionth of an inch) that has circular single infective for most of their lifetime; although the amount of
stranded DNA genomes (approximately 2,800 base pairs) virus and the ability to transmit the disease declines with
encapsidated in two small virions. Major strains include time between feedings on BCTV infected material.
Cal/Logan, Worland, and CFH strains. To date, only Adult beet leafhoppers overwinter on weeds from which
Worland strain has been detected in field grown hemp they acquire the virus, then migrate to nearby cultivated
plants across the state of Arizona. BCTV is confined to areas during spring where they reproduce several
the phloem tissue, where it causes degeneration. Virus generations on weeds and crops to which they transmit the
particles exhibit considerable resistance to a number of disease. In fall, the adult beet leafhoppers migrate back to
common disinfectants and can remain active for 4 months their overwintering areas. Adult beet leafhoppers are most
in dried beet tissue and 6 months in dried beet leafhoppers. active in high temperatures.

2 The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

Yellowing and stunting (note asymptomatic side branches) Dull pale green symptom

Severe leaf twisting and chlorosis symptoms of a hemp plant infected with BCTV

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 Mid-stage of yellowing and stunting (note side branches appear to be symptoms free) leaf curling and yellowing

Late-stage severe yellowing, stunting, and death of hemp plants infected with BCTV

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Symptoms
A wide range of symptoms have been observed at by protecting seedlings using either a physical barrier to
different infection stages. Symptom expression depends prevent leafhopper access or by timing the emergence of
on plant growth stages at the time of infection. Early the crop to avoid leafhopper spring migration from the
stage symptoms manifest as light green to yellowing overwintering grounds. “trap crops” can also be planted
of new growth, similar to sulfur or micronutrient along field borders to contain the pest for targeted sprays.
deficiency, usually combined with older leaves with dark Sugar beets are a favored food of the beet leafhopper may
green “blotchy” mosaic mottling overlaying light green make a suitable trap crop for these purposes. It is advisable
to scout nearby crops and weedy areas for presence of
chlorosis. Mosaic mottling of older leaves continues
leafhopper vector and treat those breeding areas with soil
into mid growth stage, and is coupled with more severe
treatments, such as those containing imidacloprid, and
yellowing and witch’s broom (stunted leaves and foliar sprays such as dimethoate, to manage populations
shortened internode length of stem) of apical meristematic before migration to the hemp crop can occur. A intensive
tissue. Curling and twisting of new leaves has also been survey program should be formulated to locate, monitor
observed. Symptoms manifest at or above the point of and manage breeding beet leafhopper populations on a
infection and appear to be isolated to individual branches, variety of host plants in rangeland and idle agricultural
with other branches showing no visual symptoms, often lands prior to the migration of adults into susceptible
outgrowing and covering affected branches. Late stage crops throughout the year. There are pesticides labeled for
symptoms include severe leaf curling with or without hemp that have efficacy at controlling beet leafhopper, but
twisting, continued stunting, and necrosis of yellow most approved pesticides rely on soft chemistries, with
leaves, resulting in significant yield reduction. Severely variable results.
affected plants dwarfed by the virus experienced high
mortality rates later into the season, most likely attributed Additional Resources
to reduced ability to overcome abiotic stress conditions. Anabestani, A. et al. 2017. Seed transmission of beet curly
There are reports of the virus being seed borne in petunia. top virus and beet curly top Iran virus in a local cultivar of
It is not clear whether BCTV can be transmitted through petunia in Iran. Viruses-Basel 9 (10)
contaminated seeds in hemp. The virus is not easily Giladi, Y. et al. 2020. First Report of Beet Curly Top Virus
transmitted by mechanical means. Infecting Cannabis sativa in Western Colorado. Plant Dis.
104(3) PDIS-08-19-1656-PDN
Diagnosis Hu J., Masson R., Dickey L. 2020. First report of beet curly
Witch’s broom caused by Phytoplasmas and certain top virus infecting industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) in
nutrient deficiencies produce somewhat similar Arizona. Plant Disease PDIS-11-20-2330-PDN
symptoms as BCTV. Molecular diagnostic tests based
Hudson, A. et al. 2010. Comparison of the feeding behavior
on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or whole genome
and genetics of beet leafhopper populations from
sequencing approach should be used to provide a
California and New Mexico". Southwestern Entomologist.
definitive diagnosis. Symptomatic leaves and shoots
35 (3): 241–250
should be collected and wrapped in a dry paper towel,
placed in a plastic bag, cooled in refrigerator, packed Latham, J.R. et al. 2002. Introduction of plant cell division by
in a Styrofoam cooler with cold pack, and shipped beet curly top virus gene C4. The Plant Journal 11(6): 1273-
OVERNIGHT to the University of Arizona’s Extension 1282
Plant Pathology Laboratory in Tucson. All submissions Munyaneza, J. E. and Upton, J. E. 2005. Beet leafhopper
should be accompanied by completed Plant Disease (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) settling behavior, survival, and
Diagnostic Form reproduction on selected host plants. Journal of Economic
Entomology. 98 (6): 1824–1830
Management Stanley J., et al. 2005. Geminiviridae. In: Fauquet CM, Mayo
There is no cure for curly top. Resistant hemp varieties MA, Maniloff J, Desselberger U, and Ball LA (eds.) Virus
are currently not available. Breeding resistant varieties has Taxonomy: Eighth Report of the International Committee
been successful in sugar beet and bean, but not in tomato, on Taxonomy of Viruses, pp. 301–326. San Diego, CA:
as the genetic basis for resistance is not well understood. Elsevier
Integrated pest management practice to manage curly top Zhang et al. 2001. Structure of the Maize streak virus geminate
should focus on reducing the incidence of BCTV infection
particle. Virology 279(2): 471-477
in hemp below a level of economic importance. As young
plants are most susceptible to infection, a significant
reduction in disease incidence and severity may be attained

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 Severe stunting and death of a young infected plants in mid-growing season

Severely stunted hemp plant with side branches that may (left) or may not (right) outgrow the BCTV infection

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 Late stage disease symptoms: Severe stunting and yellowing

Geminivirus particles, left: cryo-electron microscopic reconstruction of maize streak virus (MSV); purified particles of MSV showing
typical twinned quasi isometric subunits (From Zhang et al., 2001; courtesy of R. McKenna)

The adult beet leafhopper (0.12 inches in length) and greenish, yellow, tan or olive in color, with or without darker markings on its
wings and body (Photos by G. Oldfield and A.C. Magyorosky, USDA, Bugwood.org)

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension 7

 AUTHORS
Dr. Jiahuai Hu
Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist and Plant Pathologist,
School of Plant Sciences
Robert Masson
Assistant Agricultural Agent

CONTACT
Jiahuai Hu
epp@email.arizona.edu
This information has been reviewed
by University faculty.
extension.arizona.edu/pubs/az1931-2021.pdf
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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeffrey C. Silvertooth, Associate Dean & Director, Extension
& Economic Development, Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension, The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status,
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