Viruses in Salix grown for bioenergy

Abstract

SummaryA study was completed to determine if willows propagated vegetatively for bioenergy in New York State were infected by viruses. Unrooted, dormant cuttings from 10 willow clones were planted in a greenhouse. Four months later the young foliage and roots were tested for tomato mosaic tobamovirus, tobacco necrosis necrovirus (TNV), and brome mosaic bromovirus by double‐antibody sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. All three viruses were detected in the roots of some plants, but rarely in foliage. Every clone was infected with at least one virus. Tobacco mosaic virus and TNV were also transmitted to Chenopodium quinoa from extracts of roots collected from field‐grown willows. Imported willow material may be virus‐infected.