Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV) in Sutter Basin Tomato Fields

Jul 13, 2015

Over the past 10 days there have been several processing tomato fields in the Sutter Basin area that have tested positive for BCTV, which is vectored by the beet leafhopper. BCTV had been more noticeably present in the San Joaquin Valley than in the Sacramento Valley during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. It can have a serious, negative impact on crop productivity. If tomato growers in the Sacramento Valley are not currently monitoring for the beet leafhopper, it might be worthwhile to begin doing so.

For additional UCCE information on BCTV as it relates to tomatoes, see:

http://ucanr.edu/sites/veg_crop_sjc/files/182170.pdf

http://ceyolo.ucanr.edu/files/180190.pdf (slides 27 onward)

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783102011.html

Also, the CDFA has a BCTV control program. More information on this can be found here:

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ipc/curlytopvirus/ctv_introduction.htm

and 

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ipc/curlytopvirus/ctv_hp.htm

 


By Mark Lundy
Author - Associate CE Specialist