Beet curly top virus (BCTV) significantly reduces sugar beet yield in semi-arid production areas. Genetic resistance to BCTV is limited; therefore, identification of additional resistance-associated factors is highly desired. Using 16S rRNA sequencing and BCTV resistant (R) genotypes (KDH13, KDH4-9) along with a susceptible (S) genotype (KDH19-17), we investigated leaf bacteriome changes during BCTV post inoculation (pi). At day 6 (~6-week-old plants), Cyanobacteria were predominant (~90%); whereas, at week 4 (~10-week-old plants) Firmicutes (11–66%), Bacteroidetes (17–26%), and Verrucomicrobia (12–29%) were predominant phyla and genotype dependent. Both Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia, increased post infection only in the R lines. The bacterial genera Brevibacillus increased at 6 dpi, and Akkermansia and Bacteroides at 4 wkpi in the R lines. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) identified potential biomarkers in the R vs. S lines. Functional profiling revealed bacterial enrichment associated with the TCA cycle, polyisoprenoid, and L-methionine biosynthesis pathways only in KDH4-9 at 6 dpi. At 4 wkpi, bacteria associated with tryptophan and palmitate biosynthesis in the R lines, and uridine monophosphate, phosphatidyl glycerol, and phospholipid biosynthesis in the S line, were enriched. Future characterization of bacterial genera with antiviral properties will help establish their use as biocontrol agents/biomarkers against BCTV.

Plant pathogens, including viruses, phytoplasmas, and spiroplasmas, can be transmitted by leafhoppers, which can cause important yield-limiting diseases in vegetables, orchard crops, vineyards, and field crops. The species distribution and vector status of leafhopper taxa in southern Idaho is an understudied but critical component for developing sustainable management approaches. Thus, during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons, 11,215 leafhoppers were collected on yellow sticky cards in sagebrush steppe areas and next to sugar beet and common bean fields in five counties in southern Idaho. Thirty-four genera were identified, with the primary genera being Euscelidius spp. (46% of leafhoppers; mostly E. variegatus), Amblysellus spp. (14%), Ceratagallia spp. (12%), Dikraneura spp. (8%), Empoasca spp. (5%), Macrosteles spp. (5%; includes M. quadrilineatus), Psammotettix spp. (4%; includes P. attenuens, P. dentatus, and P. lividellus), Hecalus spp. (2%), and Giprus spp. (1%). Nineteen of the 34 genera found were not previously reported in Idaho, and some of these leafhoppers are capable of vectoring pathogens. For example, preliminary evidence for an Amblysellus sample suggests that Spiroplasma kunkelii was present, which is the causal agent for corn stunt disease, which was not known to be present in Idaho. These results contribute substantively to the cataloging of leafhopper taxa present in southern Idaho and will aid in developing vector and disease management decisions. [ ] Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .

Rhizoctonia crown and root rot (RCRR), caused by Rhizoctonia solani , leads to black rot on the surface of the sugar beet root and advances a short distance into the root. The black fungal rot typically allows other opportunistic organisms into the root, which can result in substantial bacterial rot. Considerable yield loss can occur unless crop protection measures are utilized. Therefore, new and novel germplasm sources of genetic resistance need to be identified and incorporated into commercial cultivars. This field study evaluates the RCRR resistance from 30 sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) lines from the USDA-ARS Kimberly sugar beet program during the 2024 growing season in southern Idaho. The study identified lines that can potentially be used by seed companies to improve the resistance to RCRR in sugar beet cultivars.

Curly top disease of sugar beet is caused by the beet curly top virus (BCTV) and is vectored by the beet leafhopper ( Circulifer tenellus). Disease incidence is widespread in the sugar beet production areas of the semiarid western United States. Once infected, sugar beet plants will begin to show symptoms of leaf vein swelling, thickening, and curling within a matter of weeks on the newly emerged leaves. Susceptible plants will show complete plant chlorosis and death during midseason. Resistant plants will have milder symptoms throughout the season but will have significantly reduced sugar yield at harvest. Considerable yield loss can occur unless crop protection measures are utilized. BCTV resistance through crop genetics is the primary defense against this disease, but resistance in current commercial cultivars is only low to intermediate and tends to be associated with lower yield potential. Therefore, new and novel germplasm sources of genetic resistance need to be identified and incorporated into commercial cultivars. This field study evaluates the BCTV resistance from 30 Beta vulgaris plant introduction (PI) lines from the United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS).