Silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti [L.] Beauv.) – a new host and reservoir of wheat dwarf virus

Abstract

Wheat dwart virus (WDV) was detected by serological assays and transmission tests in samples of silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti [L.] Beauv.) that were taken in the field and showed signs of dwarfing, leaf yellowing and inflorescence reduction. This grass species is a new WDV host, not described until now. Transmission tests indicated that this grass is an efficeint source of infection for the vector of the virus, the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus Dahlb. Surveys at nine localities revealed a medium to high incidence of WDV in silky bent grass, which is a weed species frequently infesting cereal stands in the Czech Republic. As a natural reservoir of the virus this grass can play an important role in its epidemiology.