ARS | Publication request: Spatial Subdivision Within Plants, Vector Transmission, and Cross Protection Facilitate Genetic Isolation in Wsmv

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2001
Publication Date: June 1, 2001
Citation: Stenger, D.C., Hall, J.S., Hein, G.L., Morris, T.J., French, R.C. 2001. Spatial subdivision within plants, vector transmission, and cross protection facilitate genetic isolation in wsmv. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. Phytopathology 91 (Supplement):S85.

Technical Abstract: Field populations of wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) consist of many related genotypes, yet mixed infections are rare. Two US strains (Type and Sidney 81) exhibited reciprocal cross-protection, confirming one mechanism of genetic isolation. Cross-protection between the US strains and a divergent strain from Mexico was only partially effective. Distribution of each WSMV strain within leaves and among tillers of plants infected with both Type and Sidney 81 was spatially non-uniform. No spatial heterogeneity was evident in plants infected with WSMV and the unrelated brome mosaic virus. This suggests that cross-protection leads to genetic subdivision of closely related viruses within coinfected plants. Mite transmission from coinfected source plants often resolved strain mixtures as well. Thus, three distinct mechanisms enhance genetic isolation of individual viral lineages and may explain generation and maintenance of diversity of viral populations. .