Some Characteristics of Potyvirus Isolates from Vanilla tahitensis in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands

Abstract

AbstractFurther characterization of vanilla mosaic potyvirus (VaMV) confirmed that it is quite distinct from vanilla necrosis potyvirus (VNV). In immuno‐blot ELISA, a polyclonal antiserum to vanilla mosaic virus from Vanilla tahitensis in French Polynesia did not react with vanilla necrosis potyvirus infected V. fragrans from Tonga. However, samples of V. tahitensis with leaf distortion and mosaic from the Cook Islands reacted strongly with the VaMV antiserum. Host range studies involving 20 plant species failed to find a host for VaMV outside the genus Vanilla, confirming that VaMV has a much more restricted host range than VNV. The mean particle length of VaMV from purified preparations was 763 nm (Std. Dev. 48) and SDS‐polyacrylamide electrophoresis indicates a single coat polypeptide of Mr 34 × lO3.