Green leafhopper (Nephotettix virescens Distan) biotype and their ability to transfer tungro disease in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the variation of the green leafhopper biotype in South Sulawesi and their ability to transmit the tungro virus. GLH colonies were collected from several districts in South Sulawesi (Sidrap, Pinrang, Maros and Gowa). Green leafhopper colonies were selected for their population growth and their ability to transfer tungro virus. All GLH colonies from Pinrang, Sidrap, Gowa, and Maros have a high level of virulence in all resistant varieties, where the percentage of nymphs becomes the second instar and the number of green leafhopper populations in one life cycle (first-generation/F1) in all resistant varieties were not significantly different from TN1 (no gene for resistance). Among resistant varieties, IR 38 (Glh 6) was the most adaptive variety to the four colonies of green leafhoppers (Pinrang, Sidrap, Gowa, and Maros) with the highest average population. All GLH colonies are able to transfer tungro virus to all resistant varieties. The percentage of tungro virus infection ranged from 50% to 100% in all resistant varieties transmitted by each GLH. The ability of GLH colonies to transfer viruses ranked from high to low, Sidrap, Pinrang, Gowa, and Maros. Of all GLH resistant varieties tested, no more varieties were resistant to GLH colonies from Sidrap. There are three variants colonies of GLH were successfully identified, namely biotypes 1650, 1654, and 1604.