Detection and identification of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus in Pelargonium.

摘要

Rose geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) are important essential oil bearing plants of great demand in national and international markets. Geraniums are susceptible to several viruses; however, the incidence of Prunus necrotic ring spot virus (PNRSV) was not reported until recently. During the survey of geranium plantations in experimental fields of the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India, Ilarvirus-like symptoms were observed. To identify the causal virus, the plants were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using antibodies of different Ilarviruses. Initial results showed the presence of PNRSV in geranium. This diagnosis was confirmed by Northern hybridisation, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. Coat protein gene sequence showed 97-99% amino acid homology with other PNRSV isolates. It was concluded that rose geraniums are natural hosts of this virus..