Asparagus virus iii a new member of potexvirus from asparagus asparagus officinalis

Fujisawa I.

A potexvirus which had not been described previously, was isolated from Asparagus officinalis in Japan and the name asparagus virus III (AVIII) is proposed. AVIII infected 26 species from 8 families by sap inoculation, out of 37 species from 11 families tested. Artificially infected asparagus plants did not show any distinct leaf symptoms in the greenhouse for 2 years. The virus was not transmitted by aphids and through seeds of infected asparagus. Sap from infected Nicotiana megalosiphon was ineffective after heating for 10 min at 55 C but not at 60 C, after dilution to 2 .times. 10-4 but not 10-4, and after 21 days but not 23 days at 20 C. The virus particles were elongated flexuous rods, with a modal length of 580 nm .times. 13 nm. Ultraviolet absorption spectrum of purified virus preparation was characteristic of that of nucleoprotein with an A 260/280 ratio of 1.18-1.19. The titer of the antiserum against the virus was 1/1024 in ring interface precipitin test. This antiserum reacted positive with AVIII but not with potato virus X(PVX) in SDS-agar immunodiffusion test. In tests with immune electron microscopy using the antibody decorating technique, the virus reacted with antisera against cactus virus X and narcissus mosaic virus but not with antisera against white clover mosaic virus, PVX, clover yellow mosaic virus and tulip virus X. All of the properties described are consistent with AVIII being a distinct member of potexvirus group.

Asparagus virus iii a new member of potexvirus from asparagus asparagus officinalis

Fujisawa I., 1986: Asparagus virus iii a new member of potexvirus from asparagus asparagus officinalis. Annals of the Phytopathological Society of Japan 52(2): 193-200