A VIRUS DISEASE OF RHUBARB IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Abstract

Severe mottling and stunting was observed in a planting of rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum L.) in the lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia. A virus was mechanically transmitted from the young leaves of infected plants to a range of herbaceous test plants. The virus was also transmitted by the aphid Myzus persicae Sulz. from rhubarb to petunia and back to rhubarb seedlings. From the symptoms on herbaceous hosts, transmission by aphids, and measurements of electron micrographs, the virus was identified as turnip mosaic virus. Reciprocal serological reactions with type isolates of turnip mosaic virus confirmed this.