The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1920-08-26

ON BEETS
Insect Is Cause OF Damaging Disease
According 20 Entomologist OF
Idaho University.

Curly top Il present again THU
year in Idaho sugar beet fields. ac
cording TO Claude Wakeland. ento-
noiogist OF the University OF Idaho
extension division. Who says the dis.
ease is transmitted from plant 10
plant by q diminutiye insect known
AS the sugar beet PIPER. He gives
instructions for control measures In
tho following statement:
The general appearance and eff
feet OF curly top In sugar beets is
we'll known 70 most OF the growers
OF our state. Each year IL makes its
Appearance In varying degree In
many localities. and this year IL no
exception. An affected beet plant,
when first noted. shows wrinklins or
curling OF the inner leaves and as
the disease develops II may spread TO
the entire plant The leaves may be-
come badly wrinkled and curled, the
roots may become stunted and deyol-
op an abnoramlly large number or
[ root fobers. while the main root Of
/, ten becomes darkened.
This disease and It's effects have
been known for many years, but lit
tie IL known regarding the organism
that causes IL. II has been proved by
Investigation that curly top Is trans
mittsd from a diseased plant TO those
that are healthy by small insects
known as sugar leaf noppers. These
insects when fully grown are only
about an eighth OF an inch In length
and creamy white In color. They are
so small and active that they easily
escape attention In the field and are
rarely seen unless especial observa-
tons are made. They are strong
hoppers and can leap distances many
times their own length. They are
provided with . strong, sharp beak
which they insert into the plant It's
sues and through which they extract
plant juices.
In feeding. leaf hoppers may at
tack many different plants. The
disease Is supposed to be transmitted
by being carried from an affected
plant to q healthy one by means OF
sugar leaf hoppers. 1t has been
proven that leaf hoppers which have |
cannot cause disease. 1t IL also def
initely known that whore but sim
gle leaf hopper has fed on q diseased |
plant. this plant Will develop the
disease.
There is no method known where
by curly leaf can be prevented. There
are. however. certain established
facts which. II observed by the grow
Or, win greatly aid In reducing the
losses that leaf hoppers cause from
IN affected plant aud since certain
wssds and other plants besides beets
IRE hosts OF the disease organism. II
,an readily be seon that keeping the
weeds down Win greatly lessen the
,ources OF Infection. Since beet
islds are plowed each fall. diseased
plants do not live over. and II would
appear that the main source OF con-
inusd fnfestation II In diseased
,lants other than beets. Clean cul- ,
ursi methods. not only In beet
islds, but In fields surrounding
hem. should Be practicsd carefully. L
Ian culture win further reduce the
lumber OF alternating leaf hoppers
" destroying their protection.
1T II very Important that beet
islds be given sufficient water to
,eep them growing rapidly and to
,rsvent leaves from whiting. Beets
With plenty OF moisture In the soil
FILL show loss willing than when al
owed to become dry. and when
rainags conditions are as they
hould be. water can b applied
lsnfifuily with the result that q big
or and better Yield will be produced
nd diseased plants will not be AT
sctsd 80 badly a. where hey are
aussd TO wilt and their growth Is
red BY = lack OF sufficient moist
re In the SOIL"