Beet Curly Top Virus

Causal Agents

Curly top disease is caused by curtoviruses transmitted by beet leafhoppers.

Symptoms

Plants are stunted and leaves are yellow and wrinkled. This should not be mistaken for some spinach varieties that naturally have crinkled leaves. Depending on the infection severity, entire spinach or beet fields can be lost.

Disease Cycle

In the spring and summer, beet leafhoppers migrate from their overwintering sites into vegetable fields. They can acquire the virus by feeding on infected weeds and subsequently spread it to susceptible vegetables, such as spinach, beets, chard, tomato or pepper. Once acquired, beet leafhoppers will carry and transmit the virus for the rest of their lives. 

Management

Once a plant is infected there is no cure. There are currently no resistant beet, chard, or spinach varieties available.

• Maintain good weed control in areas close to host crops to help remove virus reservoirs.