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Transmission of a Bacilliform Virus of Sowthistle and Bidens pilosa. S. R. Christie, Plant Pathologist III, Departments of Plant Pathology and Agronomy, Plant Virus Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611; R. G. Christie(2), and J. R. Edwardson(3). (2)(3)Plant Pathologist III, and Agronomist, Departments of Plant Pathology and Agronomy, Plant Virus Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611. Phytopathology 64:840-845. Accepted for publication 12 January 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-64-840.

Sonchus yellow net virus (SYNV) was isolated from sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceous) and Bidens pilosa in Florida. SYNV was mechanically transmitted to a Nicotiana hybrid (N. clevelandii × N. glutinosa), sowthistle, B. pilosa, Nicotiana glutinosa, Nicotiana clevelandii, Zinnia elegans, and lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Inoculum prepared by triturating leaf tissue in water lost infectivity rapidly, but was substantially stabilized by 0.5% sodium sulphite. SYNV was transmitted by Aphis coreopsidis, but not by Hyperomyzus lactucae or Dactynotus sp. Nuclear inclusions were observed by light microscopy. Electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of leaf tissue revealed bacilliform particles in the cytoplasm, but more often in the nucleus. Similar particles were found in cells of the aphid vector. The properties of SYNV are discussed in relation to other bacilliform viruses known to infect sowthistle, including sowthistle yellow vein virus, lettuce necrotic yellows virus, and Gomphrena virus. SYNV has been found in widely separated locales in Florida, and can be considered a potential threat to Florida lettuce production.