ISHS Acta Horticulturae 432: IX International Symposium on Virus Diseases of Ornamental Plants
VIRUSES RECENTLY DETECTED IN VEGETATIVELY PROPAGATED PETUNIA |
| Author: | D.-E. Lesemann |
| Keywords: | Surfinia, virus indexing, potato virus Y, alfalfa mosaic virus, tobamoviruses, cucumber mosaic virus, petunia vein-clearing virus |
| Abstract:
The introduction of vegetatively propagated Petunia hybrids since 1992 led to increasing virus infections of propagation material and mother stocks because phytosanitary measures were not undertaken by breeders and propagators. Infections occurred in all European countries where the vegetatively propagated petunias are cultivated. Infected plants show symptoms of various appearance and intensity and may be seriously damaged. Eleven viruses have been detected in naturally infected petunias by immunoelectron microscopical examination of naturally infected petunias or of mechanically inoculated test plants. Of these seven, namely potato Y, tobacco mosaic, tomato mosaic, alfalfa mosaic, cucumber mosaic, petunia vein-clearing and broad bean wilt 1 viruses, listed in the order of decreasing incidence, often occured in mixed infections. Most of these viruses are widely distributed in various crops and are readily transmissible to Petunia, therefore, a strict virus indexing and certification program has to be introduced, what is in progress in several countries, but with quite different antisera panels. Additional to the observed infections, a much wider range of viruses can naturally and experimentally infect Petunia. Therefore, the range of viruses to be indexed in order to achieve an effective and practicable production of virus-free Petunia has to be discussed. | |
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