ARS | Publication request: FIRST REPORT OF HIBISCUS LATENT FORT PIERCE VIRUS IN NEW MEXICO

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 22, 2004
Publication Date: January 5, 2005
Citation: Allen, J.E., Kamenova, I., Adkins, S., Hanson, S.F. 2004. First Report of Hibiscus Latent Fort Pierce Virus in New Mexico. Plant Health Progress. doi:10.1094/PHP-2005-0105-01-HN.

Interpretive Summary: This is the first report of Hibiscus latent Fort Pierce virus (HLFPV) infecting hibiscus species in New Mexico. A description of the symptoms and report of incidence are included. Diagnostic methods used to confirm the identity of HLFPV are also described. This report initiates a cooperative virology research effort between ARS and New Mexico State University. It also provides a timely account of HLFPV infection of hibiscus in the western United States to growers, Extension personnel and state and Federal regulatory and research scientists.

Technical Abstract: Hibiscus species are common landscape and potted ornamental plants throughout the southern United States. Two new tobamovirus species have recently been isolated from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants with diffuse chlorotic spots and rings and an overall chlorotic mottle. One of these viruses was first identified in Florida, and it was named Hibiscus latent Fort Pierce virus (HLFPV) to reflect the location and host from which it was isolated. The other virus was first identified in Singapore and was named Hibiscus latent Singapore virus (HLSV). During the summer of 2003, foliar symptoms including chlorotic spots and chlorotic mottling were observed on H. rosa-sinensis and H. syriacus plants in and around Las Cruces, NM. The presence of HLFPV was confirmed by tissue blot immunoassay, electron microscopic analysis, immunocapture reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis. Detection of HLFPV in numerous H. rosa-sinensis and H. syriacus samples in New Mexico suggests that it may be widely distributed in this state, as is the case in Florida. This represents the first report of HLFPV in the western United States. Movement of ornamental plants could increase the geographic distribution of HLFPV.