A novel plant pathogen management tool for vector management

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Decision support systems often focus on insect control due to direct damage. However, when insects vector plant pathogens, these decision support systems must be tailored to disease management. However, a decision system that links diagnosticians to vector management is lacking and complicated by patterns of insect abundance over space and time. Here, we describe an approach that integrated monitoring of an insect pest (aster leafhopper; Macrosteles quadrilineatus, Forbes) that vectors aster yellows phytoplasma (Candidatus Phytoplasma spp.), with rapid disease diagnostics and web-based text messaging in two crops, carrots and celery. RESULTS: From 2014-2019, a total of 8,343 aster leafhoppers were collected, 99 of these were infected with phytoplasma. Text messaging reduced the number of infected leafhoppers. When we compared infected leafhopper density across crops, their temporal patterns were most similar at a 2-week delay. Comparisons within crop indicated that in celery uninfected and infected leafhopper density was most similar at a 2-week delay, but there was no similar pattern in carrots. Leafhopper density and infectivity were not similar beyond individual farms. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that farmers should account for these temporal and spatial patterns when managing leafhoppers infected with aster yellows phytoplasma to improve pest management. By combining extensive monitoring, with rapid disease diagnostics, and text messaging, we demonstrate the value of our decision support tool.

A newly invasive species may promote dissimilarity of pest populations between organic and conventional farming systems

“…These phenology shifts may indicate that the life history, persistence, magnitude, and duration of pest abundance over time may change across agroecosystems with different forms of management. These shifts demonstrate the need to develop decision support tools designed to address pest phenology across organic and conventional farming systems, for invasive and established species (Stillson et al, 2020).…”

Identifying Leafhopper Targets for Controlling Aster Yellows in Carrots and Celery

“…In addition, farmers may implement other control measures, such as mowing weedy field margins, thus reducing potential alternative hosts for both aster yellows and M. quadrilineatus . These management strategies can also be paired with diagnostics based support tools that inform growers about leafhopper infectivity [ 88 ]. By utilizing multiple methods for management, farmers will be able to better control aster yellows phytoplasma in a sustainable way.…”

Integrated Management of Insect Vectors of Plant Pathogens

“…The successful use of viral capsid protein to deliver toxins to vectors and use of viral proteins to prevent transmission and entry to vectors can provide a platform for development of new control strategies for viruses and their vectors (Whitfield et al, 2015). Stillson et al 2020 advocated a decision support systems that integrated monitoring of aster leafhopper that vectors aster yellows phytoplasma with rapid disease diagnostics and web based text messaging in two crops, carrots and celery. Weintraub and Beanland (2006) suggested that genetic modifications which include enhancement of genes naturally present within the plant that code for defensive compounds or the introduction of alien genes into crop plants will provide protection from the vector insects.…”