Yield losses are unknown. Grooving of storage roots may reduce
their value.
Reported in USA, Taiwan and Japan.
The most common symptom is upward curling or rolling of leaves on young
plants. The rolled edge tends to be crinkled, and vein swelling may be
apparent. An interveinal chlorotic mottle is sometimes observed. Symptoms may
appear seasonally and often disappear with time.
Virions are short, rod-shaped (bacilliform) and not enveloped.
The virus particles are found in the cytoplasm of phloem cells.
Transmitted by the sweetpotato
whitefly
Bemisia tabaci, in a persistent manner. The virus can be
transmitted by grafting,, but not by mechanical inoculation. It is not
transmitted by contact between plants, nor by seed.
The only known natural host of SPLCV is Ipomoea
batatas. No secondary host has been reported naturally.
The Japanese morning glory, Ipomoea nil, has been found susceptible
through laboratory inoculation, and displays diagnostic upward curling of young
leaves.
Regulatory
control
International exchange of virus-free germplasm.
Cultural
control
Use of clean, healthy planting materials.
Brunt, A.A., Crabtree, K., Dallwitz, M.J., Gibbs, A.J., Watson, L. and
Zurcher, E.J. (eds.) (1996 onwards). `Plant Viruses Online: Descriptions and
Lists from the VIDE Database. Version: 20th August 1996.' URL
http://biology.anu.edu.au/Groups/MES/vide/
Chung, M.L., Hsu, Y.H.,
Chen, M.J., and Chiu, R.J. 1986. Virus diseases of sweetpotato in Taiwan. Pages
84-90 in: Plant Virus Diseases of Horticultural Crops in the Tropics and
Subtropics. FFTC Book Series 33, Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the
Asian and Pacific Region, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Chung, M.L., Liao, C.H., Chen, M.J. and Chiu, R.J. (1985). Pl. Prot.
Bull., Taiwan 27: 333.
Liao, C.H., Chien, I.C.,
Chung, M.L., Chiu, R.J., Han, Y.H. 1979. A study of sweetpotato virus disease in
Taiwan. I. Yellow spot virus. Journal of Agricultural Research of China,
28:127-137.
Yamashita, S., Doi, Y. and Shin, K.A. (1984). Ann. Phytopath. Soc. Japan.
50: 438.
Contributed by:
Jane O'Sullivan
