Disease Note

Four Previously Unreported Weed Hosts for Tomato Ringspot Virus. M. A. Tuttle, Botany Department and Plant & Soil Science Department, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405. A. R. Gotlieb, Botany Department and Plant & Soil Science Department, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405. Plant Dis. 69:360. Accepted for publication 26 November 1984. Copyright 1985 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-69-360d.

Leaves of 24 common broad-leaved weed species were collected from under the canopy of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees infected with tomato ringspot virus (TmRSV) and showing symptoms of apple union necrosis and decline. By use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and mechanical transmission to cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Improved Chicago Pickling’) seedlings, TmRSV was detected in symptomless leaves from four previously unreported hosts: chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), two of two samples infected; healall (Prunella vulgaris L.), one of one sample infected; black medic (Medicago lupulina L.), one of two samples infected; and moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria L.), one of one sample infected. In comparison, TmRSV was detected in four of five samples of wild carrot (Daucus carota L.). TmRSV was not detected in samples of 36 plants of broadleaf plantain (Plantago major L.), previously reported as a host; this suggests that broadleaf plaintain may not be a suitable indicator host. Knowledge of weed hosts for TmRSV could be utilized in developing a disease management program and in providing a basis for surveying an area for TmRSV.