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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318494
Title: Incidence of Wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, and Wheat mosaic virus in wheat curl mites recovered from maturing winter wheat spikes

Author
item BYAMUKAMA, EMMANUEL - University Of Nebraska
item Tatineni, Satyanarayana - Ts
item HEIN, GARY - University Of Nebraska
item MCMECHAN, ANTONY - University Of Nebraska
item WEGULO, STEPHEN - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/2015
Publication Date: 2/15/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61962
Citation: Byamukama, E., Tatineni, S., Hein, G.L., Mcmechan, A.J., Wegulo, S.N. 2016. Incidence of Wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, and Wheat mosaic virus in wheat curl mites recovered from maturing winter wheat spikes. Plant Disease. 100:318-323.

Interpretive Summary: Wheat curl mite-transmitted Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) and Wheat mosaic virus (WMoV; High Plains virus) are major production constraints of wheat in the Great Plains region. Wheat curl mites transmit these viruses to wheat either singly or in various combinations. Information on the occurrence of these viruses in wheat curl mites in maturing wheat spikes is important in understanding disease cycles and in estimating their economic impact. In this study, the incidence of viruses in wheat curl mites on maturing wheat spikes at the end of the growing season was determined. A high percentage was found of wheat curl mites harboring different combinations of WSMV, TriMV and WMoV. These data suggest that viruliferous mites present in mature wheat spikes can infect volunteer wheat and other grasses at the end of wheat season, leading to successful establishment of virus infection in fall-planted winter wheat.

Technical Abstract: Wheat curl mites (WCM; Aceria tosichella) transmit Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV), and Wheat mosaic virus (WMoV) to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Great Plains region of the United States. These viruses can be detected in single, double, or triple combinations in leaf samples. Information on incidence of viruses in WCM at the end of the growing season is scant. The availability of this information can enhance our knowledge of the epidemiology of WCM-transmitted viruses. This research was conducted to determine the frequency of occurrence of WSMV, TriMV, and WMoV in WCM populations on field-collected maturing wheat spikes and to determine differences in WCM densities in three geographical regions (southeast, west-central, and panhandle) in Nebraska. Maturing wheat spikes were collected from 83 fields across Nebraska in 2011 and 2012. The spikes were placed in proximity to wheat seedlings (three- to four-leaf stage) in WCM-proof cages in a growth chamber and on sticky tape. WCM that moved off the drying wheat spikes in cages infested the wheat seedlings. WCM that moved off wheat spikes placed on sticky tape were trapped on the tape and were counted under a dissecting microscope. At 28 days after infestation, the wheat plants were tested for the presence of WSMV, TriMV, or WMoV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. WSMV was the most predominant virus detected in wheat seedlings infested with WCM from field-collected spikes. Double (TriMV+WSMV or WMoV+WSMV) or triple (TriMV+ WMoV +WSMV) virus detections were more frequent (47%) than single detections (5%) of TriMV or WSMV. Overall, 81% of the wheat seedlings infested with WCM tested positive for at least one virus. No significant association (P > 0.05) was found between regions for WCM trapped on tape. These results suggest that WCM present on mature wheat spikes harbor multiple wheat viruses and may explain high virus incidence when direct movement of WCM into emerging winter wheat occurs in the fall.