Tri-Trophic Relationship among Sugarcane White Leaf Disease Phytoplasma (WLDP), <em>Deltocephalus menoni</em> (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and Sugarcane Plant in Secondary Transmission of the Disease

Purpose: Sugarcane White Leaf Disease (WLD) is one of the most devastative diseases in cane-sugar industry Sri Lanka and causative agent a distinct phytoplasma (WLDP) strain within 16SrXI. spreads through infected seed cane insect vector; Deltocephalus menoni (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). This paper presents tri-trophic relationship plant, vector pathogen disease transmission. Research Method: Four-month-old sugarcane plants variety SL 96 128 laboratory-reared populations D. were used for this study. Performance on healthy WLD was examined relation to aggregation, amount feeding, fecundity, number nymphs emerged, nymphal period, survival nymph adult’s longevity. The plant architecture, leaf histological physiological aspects also studied. Findings: Except all behavioural characteristics significantly-high WLDinfected 10, 14, 30, 8, 12 17 percent, respectively. period significantly-reduced by 12.78 percent. Number shoots (41.83 percent) leaves (18.96 high distance between two tends be reduced 32.85 percent diseased-plants altering architecture into profuse bushy nature. Sucking distance, thicknesses lower epidermis phloem fibre layer significantly plants. N, P, K moisture content increased (24.89, 34.78, 28.64 3.85percent) while wax 4.93 Originality/value: are augmenting its attracting, enhancing population build-up which promotes transmission itself. There regular inspection rogueing out clumps make great impact secondary menoni.