Abstract
A virus (M) causing mild mottle and flower colour breaking was isolated from Gymnaster savatieri (Makino) Kitamura (miyakowasure) plants. The virus was sap-transmissible and induced systemic symptoms on G. savatieri, Helichrysum bracteatum, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. clevelandii, N. occidentalis, Petunia hybrida, Zinnia elegans, and local necrotic lesions on inoculated leaves of Chenopodium amaranti-color, , C. quinoa, Sesamum indicum and Tetragonia expansa. Thirteen other plant species in seven families tested were not infected. Infected leaf sap of N. clevelandii showed longevity in vitro for 4-5 days at 23°C, thermal inactivation point 70-75°C. Purified virus preparations yielded slightly flexuous particles (680nm×13nm) and contained a major polypeptide of approximately 34 K and nucleic acid of Mr 2.4×106. Rabbit antiserum prepared with the purified virus had a titer of 1×105 in ELISA. By ELISA and immunosorbent electron microscopy, the virus reacted positively against antisera to chrysanthemum virus B-J and carlavirus from erigeron plants (E). On the basis of these studies, the virus was identified as a strain of chrysanthemum B carlavirus.The virus widely spread in miyakowasure plants.
