Investigation ofImpatiens necrotic spot virusoutbreaks in New Zealand

Abstract

Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) was first detected in New Zealand in August 2003 in Freesia refracta plants growing in a nursery on the South Island of New Zealand. Surveys were conducted to determine the extent of spread of the virus within the nursery and to other sites around the country. INSV was confirmed by a newly developed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in impatiens (Impatiens walleriana), primula (Primula obconica) and Ranunculus sp. at the original site and in impatiens (I. walleriana) at two additional North Island sites. Infected material was destroyed and a management program established with the industry. However, in June 2006 a begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida) specimen from a fourth North Island nursery was received which was found to be infected with INSV. Other species confirmed by RT-PCR to be infected at this site include cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides), gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), as well as hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), which is a new host for INSV. Partial nucleotide sequences obtained by RT-PCR were found to be closely related to published sequences.