What condition is caused by the potato leaf hopper?

Hopperburn is the condition caused by the potato leaf hopper, a pest known for its distinctive feeding behavior. When these insects feed on the tender tissues of plants, they inject a toxic saliva that disrupts the plant's normal physiological processes. This damage leads to the characteristic browning and curling of the leaf edges known as "hopperburn." This condition is particularly noticeable on younger leaves and can severely impact plant health and yield.

The other choices, such as root damage, leaf spot disease, and wilting, are not specifically linked to the feeding behavior of the potato leaf hopper. Root damage generally refers to injury caused by soil insects or disease. Leaf spot disease is typically associated with fungal or bacterial pathogens rather than insect activity, while wilting can be a symptom of various stress factors, including water deficiency or root health issues, but does not directly denote the injury caused by the potato leaf hopper. Thus, hopperburn is the specific term used to describe the damage inflicted by this particular pest.