EVALUATION OF VIRUS DISEASES OF COMMERCIAL CARNATIONS IN CALIFORNIA

A comprehensive evaluation of the incidence and spread of viruses in commercial carnations in California was undertaken.
A survey of production greenhouses for 4 viruses using indirect ELISA established an incidence of carnation mottle virus (CaMoV) at 78%, of carnation necrotic fleck virus (CNFV) at 13%, of carnation etched ring virus (CERV) at 15% and carnation ringspot virus (CRSV) was not detected.
Of the samples analyzed, 21% were found to be infected with two or more viruses and only 18% were found to be virus free.
The results indicated that CNFV and CERV incidence was due primarily to introduction in propagative stock and little spread of these viruses occurred in the commercial greenhouses.
In contrast, CaMoV was ubiquitous and significant temporal spread of this virus was observed.

These studies suggest that an effective ELISA indexing program and appropriate sanitation measures could effectively control the incidence of these viruses in commercial plantings.
A control program, however, based solely on detection of known viruses by serology carries some risk.
We report here the preliminary identification of a viroid-like RNA associated with plants exhibiting a leafcurl and stunting syndrome.
Clearly, other approaches in addition to ELISA must be utilized to ensure a clean stock program.

II International Symposium on Carnation Culture

S.A. Lommel, D.C. Stenger, T.J. Morris

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1983.141.11