Viruses Isolated from Narcissus (Narcissus spp.) in Japan

Abstract

A virus isolated from tazetta, trumpet and large cupped narcissus plants was identified as cucumber mosaic virus, owing to the similarity in symptoms on some hosts and positive reaction with antiserum to cucumber mosaic virus Y strain in agar gel diffusion test.Another virus isolated from trumpet and large cupped narcissus plants was identified as tobacco rattle virus, owing to the similarity in host range, physical properties, particle morphology, and lack of aphid (Myzus persicae) transmission. The virus particles were found to be tubular with length showing two peaks. With an isolate obtained from trumpet narcissus plant, these were at 70-80mμ and 190-200mμ. Antiserum to this isolate prepared by injection to rabbit showed homologous precipitin tube titre of 1/512. By agar gel diffusion test, this antiserum showed negative reaction with another virus isolate obtained from trumpet narcissus plant, but positive reaction with a virus isolate obtained from large cupped narcissus. This antiserum also did not react with an aster isolate of tobacco rattle virus (TRV-A) described by Komuro et al. (1970).The third virus isolated from tazetta narcissus plant was identified as broad bean wilt virus, owing to the similarity in host range, aphid transmissibility, particle morphology, and serological reaction. The virus particles were spherical, about 24mμ in diameter. Antiserum prepared by injection to rabbit showed a positive reaction with partially purified virus and crude diseased leaf juice of inoculated broad bean plant in agar gel diffusion test. The virus showed positve reaction with antiserum to broad bean wilt virus kindly sent from Dr. R.H. Taylor.