Mosaic Virus in AG
- To: C*@aol.com
- Subject: Mosaic Virus in AG
- From: H* E* P*
- Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 17:34:34 -0800
- References:
Dear Barb
Thanks for all the info about the high dimensions of AG in the stages
of its life cycle. I have read about AG for 50 years. You are right. I
have to plant or or two of these seeds in 1999.
COMPUTRESE@aol.com wrote:
>
> One more subject before I close, could you explain how Mosaic virus infects
> cucurbits and perpetuates itself? Is the virus able to lie dormant in the
> soil, ready to spring into action, or is the only means of perpetuation by
> means of wind and insect?
>
> If the infected plant sets fruit after contracting the virus, will the virus
> corrupt the seeds in the maturing fruit? If these infected seeds are planted,
> will the virus appear on the seedling as it matures?
>
> I have concerns about Mosaic virus being a soil borne disease and coming into
> my patch with compost from municipal sources.
>
> Thanks for your opinion.
>
> Barb Kincaid
> Orlando, FL
Finally some questions which I know something about. However, I will
have to look up the details and report back to the list.
Here are some general virus facts.
Viruses can only grow inside living cells. In principle, a virus can
exist dormant in soil and infect roots. However, I am not aware that any
plant virus can do so.
Viruses of bacteria do exist dormant in water and soil and when you
add a drop of such water to a lawn of permissive bacteria, you will see
plaques.
http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab/p.htm is the bacteriophage site I
am starting. Not much there so far.
So called soil-borne plant viruses are actually nematode borne. In
strawberry and caneberries nematode-borne diseases are important in
United Kingdom and the Pacific Northwest. Not very important elsewhere.
A specific nematode is required. Indiana we have some of the nematodes
which transmit fruit viruses but they do not do it. We don't know why
(maybe we have a sub species or race which can't do it.
Seed borne viruses are known--these are often transmitted by pollen.
Some plants carry a virus but do not show the disease.
Aphid-transmitted viruses are more common and these usually are not
transmitted by seed. Leaf hoppers and other arthopods can transmitt
certain viruses.
There is a good virus site on the web and I have the book on which
that Austrialian site is based. I will try to study my books and give a
report on this list before the weekend. Do the Big Pumpkins books cover
the viruses?
--
Harold Eddleman Ph.D. Microbiologist. i*@disknet.com
Location: Palmyra IN USA; 36 kilometers west of Louisville, Kentucky
http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab
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