Virus Diseases of Orchids Transmission of the Virus and Observation of Leaf and Other Symptoms Reveal Rare Diseases in California
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Virus Diseases of Orchids transmission of the virus and observation of leaf and other symptoms reveal rare diseases in California D. D. Jensen An article on Cattleya Flower Breaking and Cymbidium Mosaic was published in the January, 1952, issue of California Agriculture. Rare orchid diseasediscovered in Laelia anceps etch was found in Laeliu Miltonia diamond spot was found on California in isolated cases-were found anceps plants, in central California. several Miltoniu roezlii plants in central to be of virus origin. The symptoms consist of brown to California. Leaves showed necrotic le- Virus infection is suspected when necrotic lines, and partial or complete sions of typical diamond shape. A few leaves show lesions, partial or complete rings, primarily on the distal half of af- lesions are necrotic throughout but most rings of lighter or darker color, mottling, fected leaves. The necrotic tissue is usu- of them enclose green tissue. Flowers streaking, or yellowing. In some cases the ally somewhat sunken. The center of the produced by diseased plants appear to be leaves become malformed and die, the rings varies from light green to pale yel- normal. plant may become stunted, or the color low. Flowers produced on diseased plants This disease has not been transmitted of the flowers may break. are normal. experimentally but its symptoms suggest In several instances the virus origin Laelk anceps virus was transmitted by virus origin. was proved by experimental transmission juice inoculation to one out of two Cym- of the disease to healthy plants. bidium seedlings tested. Definite mottle One of the mosaic diseases, apparently symptoms appeared in Cymbidium, 36 Odontoglossum Ringspot caused by virus, was found in California days after inoculation. The relationship A virus disease of Odontoglossum in Dendrobium nobile. of this virus to Cymbidium mosaic virus grande is characterized, in advanced The normal color of the green leaves has not yet been determined. stages, by single or concentric necrotic is broken by chlorotic areas ranging from Lycaste mosaic was observed on some rings on the leaves enclosing tissue vary- small spots to large mottled patches. plants of Lycaste aromatica in central ing from normal green to black. Some of the spots appear as small yellow California. Mosaic symptoms on the The first symptoms usually develop rings with green centers. The younger leaves suggested virus origin. about two weeks after infection and ap- leaves tend to have smaller and more The symptoms consist of narrow, longi- pear as small necrotic spots or rings on scattered chlorotic markings; in the tudinal streaks on leaves of irregular the older leaves or as light green to pale larger, older leaves the mottle is of a color varying from very light to dark yellow, circular, oval or diamond-shaped coarser type. Small necrotic spots are green. The disease has not yet been pro- areas, usually on the younger leaves. The also scattered over the leaves. duced experimentally in healthy plants. Continued on page 15 Left: Lycaste mosaic on Lycaste aromatica. Center: Miltonia diamond spot on Mlltonia roezlli. Right: Stanhopea ringspot. From left to right: Virus-caused mosaic symptoms on Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium superbanum, Oncidium altissimum, Oncidium fIexuosum, Oncidium rogers, and Lelia anceps etch symptoms on Lelia anceps. ORCHID virus particles appear rod-shaped with green mosaic symptoms. The virus has a tendency to slight curvature. They vary been transmitted experimentally. Continued from page 7 in length from less than 50 to more than ringspots may be isolated from each other 600 millimicrons, the most common Other Orchid Viruses by normal tissue or may overlap or length being 280 millimicrons. The par- coalesce to form larger compound pat- ticles are uniformly about 24 millimi- A severe type of mosaic streaking in terns. crons in width. Oncidium rogers and 0. concolor was The first leaves to show symptoms are Ringspot disease of Odontoglossum is found in one single locality in California. usually more severely affected than later recorded only from California where it The symptoms are conspicuous, irregular leaves and some turn yellow and drop was found on two separate occasions in chlorotic spots and streaks in the leaves. within two or three months. Other leaves single plants. The effect of the virus on the flowers is with lesions may persist for several Preliminary experiments indicate that not known. The virus was transmitted experimen- months. the virus causing ringspot symptoms in Odontoglossum may be the same as or tally to Cymbidium seedlings by mechan- Ringspot virus causes an initial shock closely related to viruses causing atypical ical inoculation of fresh juice from a in the plant, producing severe symptoms; mosaic symptoms in Cymbidium and diseased 0. rogers. The incubation period later the virus may be carried by the some breaking in the flowers of Cattleya. of the disease in Cymbidium was about plant with few if any visible symptoms. If these diseases are caused by the same three months and the symptoms consisted However, active virus in symptomless virus its distribution will probably prove of severe mosaic mottle similar to that leaves can be demonstrated by inocula- to be extensive. caused by Cymbidium mosaic virus. tion into healthy plants. Twenty species of plants representing Oncidium pexuosum leaves were found Ringspot virus was successfully trans- 18 genera in 10 families of plants were with streaks made up of a combination mitted to all Odontoglossum grande mechanically inoculated with express of spots ranging from light green to plants inoculated with freshly expressed juice from ringspot diseased plants. Only necrotic. juice from diseased plants and to a single zinnia became infected, developing incon- Stanhopea is infected with a striking plant inoculated with purified virus prep- spicuous and fleeting symptoms of break- ringspot disease probably caused by a aration. In most plants the first symptoms ing in the maturing petals. virus. A single lot of 20 Stanhopea plants, appeared in about two weeks. An insect Odontoglossum grande also reveals believed to be imported into California vector has not yet been demonstrated. symptoms of a mosaic virus disease. The from South America, had conspicuous In the electron microscope, ringspot leaves are stunted and have light and dark Continued on next page Various stages of Odontoglossum ringspot on leaves of Odontoglossum grande. -now ready for distribution- Single coples of these publlcatlons-except the Manual-r a catalogue of Agricultural Publi- cations may be obtalned without charge from the local omce of the Farm Advisor or by address- ing a request to: Agricultural Publications, 22 Qionnini Hall, University of California, College of Agriculture, Berkeley 4, California. LAWN PLANTING AND CARE, by H. M. Butterfield, Warren Schoonover, and Harry W.Shepherd, Ext. Cir. 181. Gives directions for preparing the land, plant- ing and caring for lawns. Suggests ways to use lawns in the landscape plan for DONATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH both utility and beauty. Gifts to the University of California for research by the College of Agriculture accepted in December, 1951 IRRIGATION EXPERIMENTS WITH GRAPES, by A. H. Hendrickson and F. BERKELEY I. Veihmeyer. Exp. Sta. Bul. 728.Reports Cal-Farm Supply Co.. .4 sacks 16.20 on .................................................... new work the comparative responses For range fertilization trials in San Mateo County of grapes, with and without irrigation. A. L. Castle Co. ................................................ 5 Ibs. orchard grass Includes table, raisin and wine varieties. 5 Ibs. perennial ryegrass 5 Ibs. birdsfoot trefoil 5 Ibs. tall fescues For range seeding experiments in San Mateo County Chipman Chemical Co., Inc.. ................................. 100 Ibs. Atlacide ORCHID 100 Ibs. Clorax spray powder For weed control tests on ditch banks Continued from preceding page The Dow Chemical Co. ........................................................ 5233.35 leaf symptoms which were absent in For residue analysis on samples of fruits and vegetables that have been plants from other sources. processed for the purpose of flavor evaluation The symptoms consist of numerous Julius Hyman & Co ........................................................... 5466.70 For residue analysis on samples of fruits and vegetables that have been yellow spots and rings which stand out processed for the purpose of flavor evaluation 51-P-162 (90.8% a.i.) sharply against the normal green tissue. Batch 1-P-162-13 Some of the spots enclose green tissue Emulsifier B- and may show a concentric pattern vary- For soil fumigation studies ing from circular to diamond shaped. Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Sales, Inc.. .................................. .2 CON Dolomite Symptoms do not become evident until For field tests McLaughlin Gormley King Co.. .......................... 1 qt. 15% pyrethrins 5% emulsifier the new leaves have grown for a month I qt. 15% allethrin 5% emulsifier or two. The chlorotic spots are very faint For agricul~ralresearch in insert pathology at first but soon acquire sharp definition. Shell Chemical Corp.. ....................................... 2 gals. Shell D-D 5 gals. CBP-55 soil fumigant No information is available on the effects For soil fumigation studies of this disease on the flowers. Stauffer Chemical Cn.. ....................................................... ,5233.35 Vanda ringspot was found in a single For residue analysis