Involvement of Beet western yellows virus, Cauliflower mosaic virus, and Turnip mosaic virus in Internal Disorders of Stored White Cabbage

Abstract

Experiments over two growing seasons clearly showed that Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) infection was associated with internal necrosis (sunken necrotic spots 5 to 10 mm in diameter) and Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) infection was associated with collapse of leaf tissue at the margins (tipburn) in heads of stored white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). Virtually no tipburn was seen in cv. Polinius, whereas cv. Impala was affected severely. Internal necrotic spots were seen in both cultivars. BWYV appeared to interact with TuMV. Plants infected with both viruses showed a lower incidence of external symptoms and had less internal necrosis than plants infected with TuMV alone. Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) did not induce significant amounts of internal necrosis or tipburn, but did, in most cases, exacerbate symptoms caused by TuMV and BWYV. BWYV-induced tipburn worsened significantly during storage. Post-transplanting inoculation with TuMV induced more internal necrosis than pre-transplant inoculation. There was a significant association between detection of TuMV just prior to harvest and subsequent development of internal necrotic spots. Individually, all three viruses significantly reduced the yield of cv. Polinius, whereas only BWYV and CaMV treatments reduced the yield of cv. Impala.