Ruben M. Gapasin and Ma. Leticia Suico
ABSTRACT
A chlorotic spotting disease of sweet potato was observed during ions conducted in September 1984 on the sweet potato varieties and hybrids grown in the experimental field of the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA) Baybay, Leyte, Philippines. The disease believed to be caused by a virus. It was found to occur on variety VSP-2 and the hybrids V7 -27, V5-88. V3-44 and V3 -180.
Infected newly formed leaves of VSP-2 sweet potato variety showed systemic interveinal chlorotic spots while ring-spotting with indistinct borders appeared on older, fully expanded leaves (Fig. 1).
On the hybrids V7-27, V3-44 and V3-180, systemic interveinal chlorotic spots on the newly opened leaves were evident (Fig. 2) while ring spotting which later on coalesced, giving a mild mottled appearance was noted on fully expanded leaves. Formation of lateral buds was enhanced especially on V7-27 plants.
Interveinal chlorosis to mottling was observed in newly opened leaves of V5-88 sweet potato hybrid. Older leaves showed faint veinal chlorosis.
The ring spots usually faded 2-4 weeks after first appearance.
Preliminary transmission studies conducted by the authors revealed that the disease was transmitted mechanically and biologically by the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) to healthy VSP-2 and V7 -27 plants.
This is the first time that the chlorotic spot disease of sweet potato was observed and reported to occur in ViSCA sweet potato hybrids in the Philippines. However, Benigno et al. reported a mosaic-type disease of sweet potato in 1974. It is necessary that studies on transmission, host range, physical properties, serology and electron microscopy be conducted to determine the identity of the virus.
Annals of Tropical Research 6:(1984)
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