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Serological Relationship Between Beet Western Yellows and Turnip Yellows Viruses. James E. Duffus, Plant Pathologist, Plant Science Research Division, ARS, USDA, U.S. Agricultural Research Station, Salinas, California 93901; G. E. Russell, Principal Scientific Officer, Plant Breeding Institute, Trumpington, Cambridge, England. Phytopathology 62:1274-1277. Accepted for publication 17 May 1972. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-62-1274.

A possible relationship between beet western yellows virus (BWYV) and turnip yellows virus (TuYV) was indicated by the similarities of symptom expression and transmission characteristics of the two viruses, and was further supported by the recent demonstration of the occurrence of BWYV in Europe. A TuYV isolate from turnip in England was transmitted by Myzus persicae to Capsella bursa-pastoris and studied in regard to host range, transmission, and serology. The reaction on certain key indicator hosts was similar to that of English isolates of BWYV. Beta vulgaris, Raphanus sativus, Brassica pekinensis, Chenopodium capitatum, and Sonchus oleraceus were immune to TuYV, and Brassica rapa, Lactuca sativa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Nicotiana clevelandii, Senecio vulgaris, and Claytonia perfoliata were susceptible. TuYV was readily transmitted by M. persicae, which had acquired virus by feeding on clarified sap through artificial membranes. In density-gradient columns containing sap from infected plants, the positions of infectious zones corresponded closely with those in gradients containing BWYV. Antisera prepared against eight strains of BWYV from America and England neutralized infectivity of TuYV. Antisera prepared against TuYV from England neutralized infectivity of nine BWYV strains from America and England and TuYV isolates from England and Germany. The results of these investigations establish a close serological relationship between BWYV from America and England and TuYV from turnip in England and Germany.