ISHS Acta Horticulturae 415: VIII International Asparagus Symposium
SURVEY OF ASPARAGUS CROPS IN NEW ZEALAND FOR ASPARAGUS VIRUS 2 |
| Authors: | M.V. Jaspers, P.G. Falloon |
| Abstract:
From 67 commercial crops of asparagus throughout New Zealand 2 spears were cut from each of 10 randomly selected plants. Sap from each pair of spears was mechanically inoculated into Chenopodium quinoa and Nicotiana tabacum. Typical asparagus virus 2 (AV2) symptoms (systemic mottle and/or chlorosis on C. quinoa and systemic necrotic spots on N. tabacum) were recorded as positive. Indirect ELISA was also used to test the samples for AV2 and the methods compared. ELISA results agreed most consistently with the results from one or both of the indicators. AV2 was detected in 62 of 67 crops with an average 44% of the sampled plants infected, the range being 10–100%. No differences were found in levels of AV2 infection between cultivars but analysis of crop ages indicated a higher incidence of AV2 infection in older crops. Since AV2 is transmitted mechanically and not by aphid, these results suggest that AV2 may be spread by cutting knives during harvesting of spears. | |
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