DETECTION OF SOME VIRUS PATHOGENS OF GLADIOLUS IN IRAN

ABSTRACT: A survey for viruses infecting cultivated gladiolus species was carried out in two main cultivation areas of Iran (Mahallat & Mashhad) by the methods of test-plant and DAS- ELISA (Clark & Adams, 1977), using antisera to Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Tobacco rattle virus (TRV), supplied by Dr. Loewe (Biochemica, Germany), Prof Zaidi (CSIR, India), and Prof. Allison (MSU, USA). Furthermore, thermal inactivation point, dilution end point, and Longevity in vitro were studied. The physical properties of viruses were determined as: TIP: for BYMV 600C and for CMV 60-700C, DEP: for BYMV was 10-3 - 10-4, while for CMV was 10-4, and LIV for both viruses was 3-4 days. Host range studies of the virus carried out in greenhouse by using differential test plants. Results indicated that out of the total of 685 samples tested, 239 samples were reacted with the above virus antiserum. In Mahallat floriculture out of 180 samples, BYMV was identified in 20 samples (11.1%) and CMV in 29 samples (16.1%). In Mashhad flower shop out of 120 samples, BYMV was identified in 9 samples (7.5%) and CMV in 15 samples (12.5%). In Mashhad floriculture out of 385 samples, BYMV was identified in 62 samples (16%) and CMV in 102 samples (26.5%). Our investigation showed that some samples had mixed infection with both viruses. In all, CMV was shown to be prevalent virus infecting gladiolus in these regions. No infection to TRV was detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of BYMV and CMV in gladiolus from this part of Iran.