Abstract:
Three of the five aphid-borne viruses known to infect rhizomatous irises occur in Britain: bearded iris mosaic virus is prevalent, occuring occasionally with broadbean wilt virus and commonly with cucumber mosaic virus, but Iris fulva mosaic and beardless iris mosaic were not detected.
Of the two aphid-borne viruses infecting bulbous irises, iris mild mosaic is widespread with total infection in some cultivars; infected plants sometimes also contain iris severe mosaic, a virus which has become more prevalent during the past decade.
Both viruses are typical but apparently distinct members of the potato Y group of viruses.
Tobacco ringspot was the only nematode-borne virus found occasionally in imported rhizomatous and bulbous irises.
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