A Destructive Disease of Garden Balsam Caused by a Strain of Turnip Mosaic Virus. R. Provvidenti, Department of Plant Pathology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva 14456. Plant Dis. 66:1076-1077. Accepted for publication 9 June 1982. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-1076.

A striking and lethal disease of garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina) was caused by a strain of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV). Naturally and experimentally infected plants developed foliage chlorosis and necrosis, prominent stem streak, and stunting. Plants withered and died prematurely. Plants of five balsam cultivars inoculated with three strains of TuMV reacted similarly and died prematurely. Type, sequence, and intensity of symptoms varied with the strain, however. One strain of TuMV was not infectious to balsam plants.

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