Investigation on dissemination of Beet Curly top Virus and identification of its other cultivated hosts in Esfahan Province

In order to identify the causal agent, main infected regions and other cultivated hosts of Beet Curly Top Geminivirus, plants that showed the disease symptoms were collected from sugar beet fields in various regions of Esfahan such as: Mobarakeh, Mahyar, Semirum, Ardestan, Borkhar and Ruddasht, and replanted in pots in glass house. Inoculation method was used for mechanical-transmission of the disease agent to healthy sugar beet plants in greenhouse. Results showed that regions such as Mahyar, Mobarakeh and Borkhar with infection rates of 70%, 66.5% and 31.2%, respectively were the main infected regions in Esfahan Province and rate of infection in other regions varied between 1-3%. Regular sampling from selected beet fields showed that the Maximum infection occurs in May and June. Cultivated plants such as Sesam (Sesamum indicum), French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) showed natural infection to the disease. Also Wild Rocket (Eruca sativa) was known as a winter host for the virus and it's vectors. This is the first time that natural infection of sesam is reported in Iran.