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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #415150
Research Project: Optimizing and Stabilizing Economic and Ecological Sustainability of Pacific Northwest Seed Cropping Systems Under Current and Future Climate Conditions

Location: Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit

Title: Prevalence and diversity of aphid-vectored yellow dwarf viruses in Oregon perennial grass seed crops

Author
item Rivedal, Hannah
item Dorman, Seth
item Temple, Todd
item Lockwood, Thomas
item WALENTA, DARRIN - Oregon State University
item Oshiro, Chloe
item Cruse, Casey
item STARCHVICK, ROBERT - Oregon State University
item Bird, Makenna
item ANDERSON, NICOLE - Oregon State University

Submitted to: PhytoFrontiers
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2024
Publication Date: 12/13/2024
Citation: Rivedal, H.M., Dorman, S.J., Temple, T.N., Lockwood, T.C., Walenta, D., Oshiro, C.H., Cruse, C.E., Starchvick, R.J., Bird, M.M., Anderson, N.P. 2024. Prevalence and diversity of aphid-vectored yellow dwarf viruses in Oregon perennial grass seed crops. PhytoFrontiers. 4(4):651-661. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-05-24-0052-R.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-05-24-0052-R

Interpretive Summary: Grasses, including those grown for seed in Oregon, are susceptible to viruses transmitted by aphids. One of these groups of viruses are the yellow dwarf viruses that cause yellowing, dwarfing, and reduced yield in grasses and cereal crops. The current virus status of the grass seed production regions is not known. Therefore, a survey of 57 fields over three growing seasons was conducted to identify the viruses associated with the fields and the aphids flying into those fields. In this study, we found that greater than 80% of evaluated fields had detection of at least one yellow dwarf virus species of concern, and more aphids and virus were found in the southern region of the Willamette Valley, where tall fescue is produced. This work also identified species of the yellow dwarf viruses not detected in Oregon before. This work will be built upon to improve future risk modeling and management strategies of this virus and its vector.

Technical Abstract: Oregon produces 70% of the world’s cool season grasses, many of which are susceptible to yellow dwarf viruses (YDVs). These viruses are transmitted by multiple aphid species and there are numerous defined species of the virus. The diversity of the virus species associated with Oregon grass seed production has not been determined in recent years, but would provide insight to risk management modeling, and deploying management strategies. In this study, a total of 57 fields were surveyed across two years (2021 and 2022) to determine the incidence and diversity of YDVs associated with plants, and the abundance and incidence of YDVs associated with aphid vectors. Fields included perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass. Virus incidence and diversity was determined using multiple endpoint reverse-transcriptase multiplexes specific for YDV genera (Luteovirus or Polerovirus) and eight species. Across commercial grass seed hosts and growing seasons, 82% of fields had at least one plant sample detection of a Luteovirus-type YDV, and 65% had at least one detection of a Polerovirus-type YDV. Aphid abundance fluctuated on a spatial scale. Both perennial ryegrass and tall fescue plants hosted diverse YDV populations with detections of seven of the eight species in both hosts, including the first detections of BYDV-GAV infecting tall fescue and perennial ryegrass and BYDV-OYV infecting tall fescue in Oregon. Only Polerovirus-type YDVs were detected in Kentucky bluegrass plants. This study provides a current understanding of the spatial composition and diversity of the aphid-YDV virus-vector system in perennial grasses grown for seed.