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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #149748
Title: CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS DIAGNOSED IN DESERT ROSE

Author
item BAKER, C. A. - DPI
item ACHOR, D. - UF - CREC
item Adkins, Scott

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/30/2003
Publication Date: 8/1/2003
Citation: Baker, C. A., Achor, D., Adkins, S. 2003. Cucumber Mosaic Virus Diagnosed in Desert Rose. Plant Disease. v. 87: p. 1007.

Interpretive Summary: This is the first report of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infecting desert rose, a relatively new perennial garden flower. A description of foliar symptoms is included. Diagnostic methods used to confirm the identity of CMV are also described. This aphid-vectored virus causes serious economic losses in many ornamental and vegetable crops throughout the world. This report continues a collaborative ornamental virology research effort between Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-Division of Plant Industry, University of Florida and ARS. It also provides a timely account of CMV infection of desert rose to growers, Extension personnel and state and Federal regulatory and research scientists.

Technical Abstract: Desert rose [Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem.& Schut] is a member of the Apocynaceae and characterized by fleshy leaves and stems and colorful flowers. This popular exotic ornamental, originally from southeast Africa, is propagated vegetatively and is a perennial in warm climates. Virus-like foliar symptoms including a mosaic with dark green islands surrounding the veins and chlorosis on the leaf margins were observed on desert rose samples from two Florida nurseries in November 2002. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was specifically identified by serological testing (Agdia, Elkhart, IN). A third sample expressing similar symptoms was observed in southeast Florida in February 2003. CMV was again detected by serological testing. An agent was mechanically transmitted from the third sample to Chenopodium quinoa resulting in the formation of chlorotic local lesions. Examination of inoculated C. quinoa leaves by double-stranded (ds) RNA analysis and electron microscopy (leaf dips) revealed the presence of a typical cucumovirus dsRNA profile and spherical virions ~28 nm in diameter, respectively, providing additional confirmation of CMV infection. A probable satellite RNA was also observed by dsRNA analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of CMV infection of desert rose and only the second report of a virus infecting this host.