Experimental verification of seed transmission of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus

H. E. Simmons, E. C. Holmes, F. E. Gildow, M. A. Bothe-Goralczyk, A. G. Stephenson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Within two decades of its discovery, Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) achieved a global distribution. However, whether or not seed transmission occurs in this economically significant crop pathogen is controversial, and the relative impact of seed transmission on the epidemiology of ZYMV remains unclear. Using reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction, we observed a seed transmission rate of 1.6% in Cucurbita pepo subsp. texana and show that seed-infected C. pepo plants are capable of initiating horizontal ZYMV infections, both mechanically and via an aphid vector (Myzus persicae). We also provide evidence that ZYMV-infected seeds may act as effective viral reservoirs, partially accounting for the current geographic distribution of ZYMV. Finally, the observation that ZYMV infection of C. pepo seeds results in virtually symptomless infection, coupled with our finding that an antibody test failed to detect vertically transmitted ZYMV in infected seed, highlights the urgent need to standardize current detection methods for seed infection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)751-754
Number of pages4
JournalPlant disease
Volume95
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Plant Science

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