Carnation viruses in Japan

I. A virus detected in apparently healthy plants of Coral variety

Abstract

A virus was detected in apparently healthy carnation plants of Coral variety. It was proved to be transmissible by sap and also by Myzus persicae. By sap inoculation, it produced chlorotic or necrotic local lesions in Chenopodium album, and systemic mottling in Dianthus barbatus, D. nipponicus, and D. chinensis. The virus caused latent infection of carnation seedlings from true seeds. Such other plants as Nicotiana tabacum (var. Bright Yellow), N. glutinosa, N. debneyi, Vicia faba, Vigna sesquipedalis, Gomphrena globosa, and Beta vulgaris were not susceptible. The virus in the sap was inactivated in 10 minutes between 50°C and 60°C, and at room temperature between 6 and 9 days. Dilution-end-point was shown to lie between 1:1, 000 and 1:5, 000. When examined by electron microscope, the partially purified preparation showed the presence of slightly curved elongated particles of about 800mμ in length. The prepared antiserum showed relatively low titers against the homologous virus and did not react with potato virus S, whereas the S virus antiserum reacted with the present virus. From these results, it was concluded that the virus in question may be closely related to the carnation latent virus reported by Kassanis (1955) in England.