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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #238372
Title: Detection and Characterization of a Plant Virus in Wild Raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., in Alaska

Author
item Robertson, Nancy
item Macknicki, Christine

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2009
Publication Date: 6/1/2009
Citation: Robertson, N.L., Macknicki, C.J. 2009. Detection and Characterization of a Plant Virus in Wild Raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., in Alaska [abstract]. Phytopathology. 99(6):109.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In 2008, mosaic leaf symptoms were detected on wild raspberry plants, Rubus idaeus L., in north central Alaska. They were growing on remnant patches within developing agricultural sites. Partially purified virus samples were obtained by differential centrifugation of homogenized leaves according to established protocols. Protein extractions from the samples revealed a putative coat protein (CP) ~30 kDa on 10% SDS-PAGE. Virion RNA was extracted from the sample preparations and visualized on 1% non-denaturing agarose gels. Two prominent single-stranded-RNA species of ~5.9 kb and~1.9 kb were depicted. Virus samples mechanically inoculated to a plant host range resulted in mosaic leaf development on Nicotiana benthamiana L. and definite local lesions on Chenopodium quinoa Willd. Virus samples assayed by ELISA using Agdia kits (Elkhart, IN) for detection of Raspberry bushy dwarf virus, (RBDV), Raspberry ringspot virus, Tobacco streak virus, and Tobacco ringspot virus were all negative. Based on the sizes of the bipartite genome and CP, and susceptibility to C. quinoa Willd., we concluded that the virus was most similar to RBDV in the genus Idaeovirus. This is the first report of a virus occurring in Rubus sp. in Alaska. Its presence is significant since it may be a threat to domestic raspberry crops in Alaska.