Experimental Hosts of the Beet Leafhopper-Transmitted Virescence Agent

The vector Circulifer tenellus was used to inoculate 60 species of plants with the beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent (BLTVA). A wide range of host reactions was seen in 43 species, including floral gigantism, host induction response, internode elongation, internode shortening, leaf deformation, leaf mottling, proliferation, stunting, tip necrosis, virescence, wilting, and yellowing. No nonsymptomatic hosts were found, but 17 plant species did not develop symptoms of infection after exposure to inoculative leafhoppers; this included all the monocots tested