Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #146934
Title: ONGOING SURVEY ON THE INCIDENCE OF PAPAYA RINGSPOT VIRUS IN WEEDS FOUND IN A PAPAYA FIELD IN NORTHERN PUERTO RICO

Author
item Ferwerda Licha, Margarita
item Pingel, Randall

Submitted to: American Phytopathology Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2002
Publication Date: 8/1/2002
Citation: Ferwerda-Licha, M., Pingel, R.L. 2003. Ongoing survey on the incidence of papaya ringspot virus in weeds found in a papaya field in northern Puerto Rico [abstract]. Phytopathology. v. 93. p. 525.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Commercial production of high quality papaya in Puerto Rico has been declining due to severe losses caused by Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV). PRSV is transmitted non-persistently by aphids. Presently, there is no information as to which weeds are alternate hosts of PRSV on the island. Replicated plots were established in which half of the papaya plants were weeded regularly and the other half in which weeds were allowed to grow. PRSV infection was allowed to occur naturally. A succession of weeds was collected and indexed with DAS-ELISA for the presence of PRSV. Results indicate that the same weeds test consistently positive for the virus, in all the replicates of the experiments. A total of 38 different species were tested. The following weeds were positive to PRSV: Parthenium hysterophorus, Chamaesyce nutans, Poinsetia heterophylla, Sida carpinifolia, Ipomoea tiliaceae, Phaseolus lathyroides, Indigophera spp., Tridax procumbens L., Amaranthus dubius, Wedelia trilobata, Emilia sonchifolia, and Synedrella nodiflora.