Broad Bean Wilt Virus in Begonia in Minnesota. B. E. L. Lockhart, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108. Jean Ann Betzold, Senior Laboratory Technician, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108. Plant Dis. 66:72-73. Accepted for publication 5 October 1981. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-72.

Fibrous-rooted begonia plants (Begonia semperflorens) showing leaf mottling, ring spots, and poor growth in a Minnesota greenhouse were found to be infected with broad bean wilt virus. The virus, which had properties similar to those described for other isolates of broad bean wilt virus, was readily transmitted by Myzus persicae and belonged to the serotype I group of the virus isolates. This is the first report of broad bean wilt virus infection of begonia and only the third report of its occurrence in North America.

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