A Study of the Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Disease in Argentina

Abstract

Yellow leaf disease, caused by Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV), is widespread around the world but very little information is available on this viral disease in Argentina. Therefore, the aims of the study were to assess the presence of SCYLV, analyze its distribution in the main sugarcane production areas of Argentina, characterize the virus, and determine histological alterations caused by its presence. For this purpose, 148 sugarcane samples with and without symptoms were collected in 2011 and 2012 from the province of Tucumán. One additional sample was collected in Salta, a different geographical, agroecological, and producing region. Results showed that SCYLV is widely distributed in commercial varieties of sugarcane throughout Tucumán in both symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves. A low but statistically significant positive correlation with virus detection and disease symptoms was found. BRA-PER was the only genotype detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of the SCYLV capsid protein gene. SCYLV-positive samples showed high starch levels in bundle sheath cells, whereas the asymptomatic ones, probably in an early stage of infection, were found to contain more chloroplasts. Symptomatic noninfected samples presented crystal formation probably associated with phytoplasma infection.

Impact of yellow leaf virus on sugarcane commercial fields

“…The epidemiological results reported here may provide a good tool to predict disease behaviour and contribute to plant breeding programs. The results of SCYLV genotype identification showed the presence of BRA-PER in all samples, in agreement with studies of our research group (Asinari et al 2015) and as described Bertani et al (2014). Genotypes CUB and REU were also found, always in combination with BRA-PER.…”

“…SCYLV was first detected by serological methods in 2010 (Asinari et al 2015). Bertani et al (2014) stated that the incidence and distribution of the disease in Argentina is still not clear, with only a few reports with little information being available.…”

“…Using RT-PCR, in 2012 the BRA-PER genotype was identified in symptomatic and asymptomatic sugarcane plants in commercial fields of Argentina (Asinari et al 2015). A few years later, BRA-PER were detected in positive SCYLV samples collected from Tucumán and Salta (Bertani et al 2014).…”

Closely-related Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri isolates trigger distinct histological and transcriptional responses in Citrus limon

“…In control leaves, cumuli of starch were not observed ( Figure 2O, R). This reaction has been cited as a general plant response to different pathogen infections (Bertani et al, 2014;Pardo et al, 2012). Some evidence suggests that the wild Xcc strain presents in its genome a gene coding for a protein similar to natriuretic plant proteins, which are involved in the regulation of cell growth and homeostasis (Gottig et al, 2008).…”

Genetic Transformation of Sugarcane, Current Status and Future Prospects

“…The two major virus diseases in sugarcane are Mosaic, caused by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) and Sorghum Mosaic Virus (SrMV) ( Yang and Mirkov, 1997 ; Perera et al, 2009 ) and yellow leaf syndrome, caused by Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Virus (SCYLV) ( Bertani et al, 2014 ). Both diseases have been reported in almost all sugarcane producing areas worldwide ( Grisham, 2000 ; Ahmad et al, 2007 ) and considering the economic impact and wide-spread of these viruses, many genetic transformation strategies have been implemented to obtain resistant plants.…”