Bunias orientalis L. as a natural overwintering host OF Turnip mosaic virus

Abstract

A virus was isolated, using mechanical inoculation, from hill mustard (Bunias orientalis L.) plants exhibiting yellow mottling and blistering on leaves, which were frequently accompanied by asymmetric leaf narrowing. It systemically infected certain plants from the family Brassicaceae (Brassica rapa, Bunias orientalis, Hesperis matronalis, Sinapis alba) as well as Cleome spinosa and Nicotiana clevelandii, and locally Atriplex hortensis, Chenopodium quinoa, Ch. amaranticolor, N. tabacum. In the sap, it maintained infectivity for 3-4 days and lost it after heating for 10 min. at a temperature of 55 - 60oC or when diluted with water at 10-3. Virus particles were thread- like with a length of 675 - 710 nm. Based on an analysis of biological properties of the pathogen, serological response, particle morphology and data from field observations, it was identified as an isolate of Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), and hill mustard was recognised as a natural overwintering host for this pathogen.

Keywords

• leaf malformation
• yellow mottling
• leaf narrowing
• blistering