Sida Golden Mosaic and Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus on Snap beans are two whitefly transmitted viral pathogens normally associated with crumpling symptoms in snap beans. They normally occur as a virus complex and can cause considerable economic losses.
The Vegetable team will develop a sustainable and economically viable management package against the whitefly-transmitted begomovirus complex [Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) and Sida golden mosaic virus (SiGMV)] in snap beans. The begomovirus complex [CuLCrV and SiGMV] has been devastating to snap beans production in Georgia, and is attributed to > 40% yield loss annually from 2016-2018. Screening conducted with a seed grant from the Georgia Farm Bureau has indicated virus resistance in snap bean cultivars and germplasm accessions. With Specialty Crop Block Grant funding 2019, we are further characterizing this resistance, and provide a list of resistant cultivars available to growers in three years. Screening indicated that virus resistance was not complete, as infected plants exhibited less severe symptoms, and severity could vary with insect and virus pressure. Therefore, these cultivars cannot function as ‘stand-alone’ options, and need to be integrated with other tactics. Together with resistant cultivars, we are evaluating several cultural and chemical tactics. The cultural tactics include: optimum planting date, nitrogen fertility, and mulch. These options will be evaluated through multi-location research and demonstration field trials, and greenhouse research. We are also evaluating numerous insecticides and their effectiveness against whiteflies and virus transmission. Additionally, we will conduct cost-benefit analyses to assess how new management tactics will result in increased profits.