Rapid entry of infectious particles of southern bean mosaic virus into living cells following transport of the particles in the water stream

Abstract

Infectious particles of southern bean mosaic virus moved upward in the water stream of Pinto bean stems, entered undamaged living cells, and multiplied. In some plants the time required to enter living cells several feet from the site of virus intoduction must have been 1 day or less. Introduction of virus directly into steamed regions of Pinto stems resulted in occurrence of virus infections far above the point of virus introduction. Local infections at site of virus introduction were therefore not prerequisite to the occurrence of remote infections. Introduction of the virus into an internode well above the hypocotyl also resulted in the frequent occurrence of necrosis in foliage above the inoculated area, but rarely in that below. Rapid upward transport of infectious virus particles in the water stream with a pathway for natural entry of these particles into living cells is indicated by the results obtained.