New Focus on Cotton Webcast Discusses Viruses, Leaf Curl
November 18, 2014 A new webcast focusing on whitefly and virus management has been added to the Focus on Cotton online webcast resource, developed by Cotton Incorporated and the Plant Management Network.
Whiteflies and the viruses they carry are a complex and economically significant problem for cotton growers throughout the world. Throughout their life cycle, whiteflies can pick up viruses from a range of host plants near cotton fields and transmit them to cotton plants as cotton leaf curl virus and cotton leaf curl disease. Both diseases lead to curling of leaves and/or development of leaf-like enations on the undersides of leaves, overall stunting of the plant, and reduced yield and quality.
In “Begomovirus-Whitely Vector Complexes: Emerging Threats to Cotton-Vegetable Crop Biosecurity,” Professor Judith Brown from the University of Arizona provides key information about Begomoviruses – the cause of cotton leaf curl virus and a key component of the cotton leaf curl disease complex.
The presentation focuses on the characteristics and history of cotton leaf curl disease, the diversity and distribution of the many begomoviral species and strains that comprise the complex, and the origins and extent of recent spread leaf curl virus. It also highlights measures that should be taken to safeguard cotton crops, including monitoring, reporting suspicious symptoms (particularly when the whitefly vector is or has been known to be present), and continuance of efforts to develop virus-resistant varieties for use in high risk areas.
The Focus on Cotton series contains nearly 30 webcasts on various aspects of cotton crop management, including agronomic practices, crop protection and ag engineering. The presentations are accessible online at any time.
The resource also features a newly improved Cotton Extension Search tool, where users can conveniently search for extension resources across all U.S. land-grant universities serving cotton producers.
Source – The Cotton Board
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