Disease Note

First Report in Western Hemisphere of Rhizomania of Sugar Beet Caused by Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus. J. E. Duffus, E. D. Whitney, R. C. Larsen, H. Y. Liu, and R. T. Lewellen, Sugarbeet Production Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Salinas, California, 93915. Plant Dis. 68:251, 1984. Accepted for publication 12 December 1983. Copyright 1984 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-251d.

Rhizomania, one of the most destructive diseases of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in Europe and Japan, was found in several of the important sugar-beet production areas of California in 1983.  Rhizomania is reported to be caused by beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), which is vectored by the soil fungus Polymyxa betae Keskin.  The fungus was found in California in 1977 and the virus was found in Washington in 1981.  Rhizomania was identified by the presence of BNYVV and P. betae in the roots of affected sugar beet plants.  BNYVV reacted in ELISA tests with antiserum to Japanese and French isolates of the virus, and characteristic virus particles were observed by electron microscopy of plant tissue dips.

References: Al Musa, A. M., and Mink, G. I. Phytopathology 71:773, 1981.  Falk, B. W., and Duffus, J. E. Plant Dis. Rep. 61:492, 1977.