ISHS Acta Horticulturae 110: V International Symposium on Virus diseases of Ornamental Plants
OCCURRENCE OF A ROD-SHAPED VIRUS IN FUCHSIA CULTIVARS |
| Authors: | Lois J. Johns, R. Stace-Smith, Diane Y. Kadota |
| Abstract:
In a survey of greenhouse and field grown Fuchsia in British Columbia, 28 cultivars representing 5 different species were found to contain virus-like particles. In initial indexing, these particles were not found in leaf dips from some of the cultivars, but after repeated indexing 650 nm particles were found in all cultivars examined. This suggests that the virus is ubiquitous in the locally propagated cultivars. Despite the presence of rods, the fuchsia plants showed no virus-like symptoms, suggesting that the virus is latent. Attempts to mechanically transmit the virus from fuchsia to a range of herbaceous plants were negative. Similar attempts using partially purified preparations were also negative. Lacking a herbaceous assay host, the only means of virus detection at present is by electron microscopy and even this method is unreliable. Attempts were made to purify the virus directly from infected fuchsia, but the virus yield was low. Electron microscopy of thin sections revealed a few virus-like particles: These were restricted to the xylem and phloem parenchyma cells. There is not sufficient evidence yet to indicate whether this is a new virus or whether it is related to one of the recognized carlaviruses. | |
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