Occurrence of Turnip Yellow Mosaic Virus on Oriental Cruciferous Vegetables in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) has been reported throughout Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. In 1994, this virus was identified in two field plantings of Bok Choi and one planting of Pak Choi (Brassica campestris Chinensis group var. communis) in Durham and Haldimand-Norfolk counties, respectively. In early October, approximately 25% of the plants were infected at each site. Both the striped flea beetle (Phyllotreta striolata (F.)) and the crucifer flea beetle (P. Cruciferae(Goeze)), reported vectors of the virus (1), were present at each site. Infected plants exhibited bright yellow to yellow-green mosaic mottling and often showed chlorotic lesions on the lower leaves. Vein clearing was also seen on several plants. Plants were often coinfected with turnip mosaic virus. Four symptomatic plants were taken from each field site for testing. Spherical virus particles (28 nm) were identified as TYMV by electron microscopy following post-antibody decoration and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the TYMV Agdia test kit. Symptoms were reproduced on both Bok and Pak Choi by mechanical inoculation into healthy plants. Extended host range susceptibility tests with 14 differential hosts were consistent with those reported in the VIDE database (1). This virus, in the presence of the flea beetle vectors, may pose a threat to susceptible traditional cruciferous vegetables grown extensively in this area. Reference: (1) A. A Brunt et al., eds. Plant Viruses Online: Descriptions and Lists from the VIDE Database. Version: 16th January 1997.