Orchard Weeds as Hosts of Tomato Ringspot and Tobacco Ringspot Viruses. C. A. Powell, Plant Pathologist, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg 17110. L. B. Forer, Chief Plant Pathologist, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg 17110; R. F. Stouffer, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Fruit Research Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, Biglerville 17307; J. N. Cummins, Professor, Department of Pomology and Viticulture, and D. Gonsalves, Associate Professor, and D. A. Rosenberger, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva 14458; and J. Hoffman, Graduate Student, and R. M. Lister, Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Plant Dis. 68:242-244. Accepted for publication 19 September 1983. Copyright 1984 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-242.

Forty-two species of weeds from 22 families were collected from apple or peach orchards where tomato ringspot virus (TmRSV)-induced diseases were found in Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania and analyzed for TmRSV and tobacco ringspot virus (TbRSV) by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plants from 21 species representing 12 families were found infected with TmRSV. In addition, eight species representing six families were found infected with TbRSV. The species with the highest frequency of infection with TmRSV were Taraxacum officinale (dandelion), Rumex acetosella (sheep sorrel), and Stellaria spp. (common chickweed). These results are discussed with regard to the epidemiology of TmRSV-induced orchard diseases and the importance of weed control as a component of integrated orchard management programs.

Keyword(s): nepoviruses.