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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Washington, D.C. » National Arboretum » Floral and Nursery Plants Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #343211
Research Project: Detection, Identification, and Characterization of New and Emerging Viral and Bacterial Diseases of Ornamental Plants

Location: Floral and Nursery Plants Research

Title: Detection of Plantago asiatica mosaic virus in lily hybrid plants (Lilium spp.) in Costa Rica grown from imported bulbs

Author
item MONTERO-ASTUA, MAURICIO - Universidad De Costa Rica
item GARITA, LAURA - Universidad De Costa Rica
item VASQUEZ, ELENA - Universidad De Costa Rica
item Hammond, John
item MOREIERA, LISELA - Universidad De Costa Rica

Submitted to: Australasian Plant Disease Notes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/9/2017
Publication Date: 11/17/2017
Citation: Montero-Astua, M., Garita, L., Vasquez, E., Hammond, J., Moreiera, L. 2017. Detection of Plantago asiatica mosaic virus in lily hybrid plants (Lilium spp.) in Costa Rica grown from imported bulbs. Australasian Plant Disease Notes. 12:47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13314-017-0281-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13314-017-0281-2

Interpretive Summary: Virus infections of vegetatively-propagated crops cause losses of both yield and quality; introduction of new viruses into a country through international trade may subsequently spread to other crops, causing additional losses. Detection and identification of such viruses is important to allow appropriate measures to be taken to minimize the potential for establishment of the virus and spread to other crops. Plantago asiatica mosaic virus (PlAMV) was recently discovered in lily bulbs imported into various countries. In the current report, detection of PlAMV in Costa Rica is reported for the first time. Knowledge of the presence of the virus in imported lily bulbs will lead to appropriate monitoring and regulatory measures to prevent the virus from becoming established within Costa Rica.

Technical Abstract: Plantago asiatica mosaic virus (PlAMV), a potexvirus recently reported affecting lily plants from several countries, was detected in three lily plants in Costa Rica. Plant tissue showed chlorotic and necrotic streaking. Electron transmission microscopy revealed the presence of flexuous-rod shaped particles (mean length = 516 nm). Sequences obtained with three primer pairs and ELISA results confirmed the identity of the virus. Pathogenicity was confirmed on Nicotiana benthamiana: corrugation and severe chlorotic patterns were observed after inoculation and PlAMV was detected by ELISA and RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis suggested variability among isolates of what seems an emerging viral plant disease in lilies.