Tasks

Research Associate in the project “Threat to potato cultivation from the invasive planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus and the pathogens transmitted by this species“ (GeKaPent). The following planthoppers are of special interest:

1. Pentastiridius leporinus - known as the vector for SBR in sugar beet (Syndrome Basses Richesses). The disease is caused by the pathogens ‘Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’, and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’. The latter pathogen is also known to cause Stolbur-disease in different crops and plants, e.g. the „Bois noir“ in grapes. The pathogen is known to be transmitted by another planthopper of the same cixiid family:
2. Hyalesthes obsoletus

In 2022, both vectors, as well as Stolbur like symptoms, have been observed in potatoes. Following activities are part of my work and should shed more light on the described vector-plant-pathogen complex and its importance for potato cultivation:

• Monitoring of planthoppers in potato fields
• Transmission trials with planthoppers
• Establishment of planthopper breeding for further behavioral analysis