Authors
H. A.
Hobbs
,
D. M.
Eastburn
, and
C. J.
D'Arcy
,
Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801
;
J. D.
Kindhart
,
University of Illinois, Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Simpson 62985
;
J. B.
Masiunas
,
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801
;
D. J.
Voegtlin
,
Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana 61801
;
R. A.
Weinzierl
,
Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801
; and
N. K.
McCoppin
,
USDA-ARS, Crop Protection Research Unit, Urbana IL 61801
ABSTRACT
Over 5,000 individual plants representing approximately 55 species from an area in southern Illinois where Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has been a major problem in pepper (Capsicum annuum) were tested for the presence of CMV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Representative ELISA-positive samples were checked by western blot tests to confirm virus-specific reactions. Nearly all of the infected plants detected were either Solanum ptycanthum (eastern black nightshade) or Physalis spp. (principally P. heterophylla, groundcherry). Over 1,000 pepper transplants and approximately 500 tomato transplants, collected prior to planting, were negative for CMV by ELISA. In aphid transmission (arena) experiments, all five aphid species tested were capable of transmitting CMV from nightshade to pepper: Aphis fabae subsp. solanella, Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi, and Sitobion avenae. Aphis fabae subsp. solanella, A. gossypii, and A. nerii were able to transmit CMV from P. heterophylla to pepper. Aphis fabae subsp. solanella was commonly found colonizing nightshade from May through October in southern Illinois.
