Effect of Cotton Seedling Infection by Cotton-leaf Crumple Virus on Subsequent Growth and Yield

Abstract

Colton-leaf crumple (CLC) is a disease of cotton that occurs annually in the southwestern United States. CLC virus (CLCV) is transmitted exclusively by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), the sweetpotato whitefly. Ten cultivars of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., were inoculated at the 6–8 leaf stage to simulate early infection, and then were transplanted to the field along with noninoculated control plants. The growth (height), extent of symptoms, number of open bolls and weight of seed-colton were measured. All inoculated plants, regardless of the cultivar, exhibited reduced growth immediately following inoculation and infection. Growth thereafter was normal, except for ‘Deltapine 90’, ‘Deltapine 55’, ‘Deltapine NSL’ and ‘Deltapine 30’. Inoculated plants exhibited a reduction in the number of bolls per plant (27%) and seed-colton yields (24%). Plant height in late June was the most useful parameter with which to predict potential yield losses, relative to early CLCV infection.