Distribution of Tomato Ringspot Virus in Peach Trees: Implications for Viral Detection. M. W. Bitterlin, Former Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva 14456. D. Gonsalves, and J. G. Barrat. Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva 14456, and Professor of Plant Pathology, West Virginia University Experiment Farm, Kearneysville 25430.. Plant Dis. 72:59-63. Accepted for publication 26 August 1987. Copyright 1988 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-72-0059.

The distribution of tomato ringspot virus (TmRSV) in peach was determined by indexing different parts of naturally infected, orchard-grown trees and graft-inoculated Halford seedlings by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antisera prepared to TmRSV particles. TmRSV and symptoms of peach stem pitting (PSP) associated with TmRSV infection were restricted in their distribution within trees. Bark from the belowground portion of the stems was the most reliable source of viral antigen. Both antigen incidence and titer gradually declined toward the upper parts of the stems and toward the roots. The distribution pattern in graft-inoculated Halford peach seedlings was apparently influenced by the isolate of TmRSV. Of five isolates tested on a very limited scale, only peach yellow bud mosaic (PYBM) was readily detected in all parts of the tree. The implications for detecting TmRSV in peach and for the control of PSP through cross-protection are discussed.

Keyword(s): probability of virus detection, Prunus stem pitting, tomato ringspot virus isolates.