Poster: Epidemiology: Pathogen-Vector Interations
639-P
The ability of Olpidium brassicae to vector blueberry mosaic virus in southern highbush blueberries
T. MILES (1), A. Shands (1) (1) CSU Monterey Bay, U.S.A.
Blueberry mosaic associated Virus (BlMaV) is a recently described ophiovirus that is of concern in blueberry propagation systems. Members of the fungal genus Olpidium commonly found in plant roots, have the ability to move in these production systems using flagella, and possess the ability to vector Ophioviruses. In 2015, BlMaV affected blueberry plants were identified in a propagation nursery and a series of trap plants were utilized to determine potential vectors. Trap plant experiments were conducted with varying soil treatments (n=5), and hosts (carrot, lettuce, broccoli, cucumber) to determine the presence of Olpidium spp. Olpidium was observed in only lettuce trap plants (average of 6 resting spores/cm of root) and absent in the remaining trap plants. The ability of Olpidium species to vector BlMaV was tested through a series of concurrent inoculation experiments consisting of inoculated groups and control groups, treated with lettuce roots containing Olpidium resting spores or water, respectively. Each series of inoculation experiments varied in exposure time (10, 8, and 6 months) to root inoculum containing Olpidium resting spores and water, respectively. Transmission experiments showed Olpidium to be readily observed in the roots of inoculated southern highbush blueberry. By determining the ability of Olpidium spp. to vector BlMaV will aid in the management of blueberry propagation and increase our understanding of the basic biology of BlMaV.