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Title: LUTEOVIRUS AND POLEROVIRUS FOUND IN SMALL GRAINS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE MATANUSKA-SUSITNA REGION OF ALASKA

Author
item ROBERTSON, NANCY

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/16/2003
Publication Date: 4/20/2003
Citation: Robertson, N.L. 2003. Luteovirus and polerovirus found in small grains for the first time in the Matanuska-Susitna region of Alaska. Plant Disease 87:446 (2003); published online as D-2003-0204-02N, 2003.

Interpretive Summary: A survey in Alaska for suspected plant viruses in small grains was conducted in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The objective was to detect and identify specific virus species in plants that exhibited leaves with abnormal colors. Barley and oat plants displaying noticeable yellow or red leaves (respectively) were collected and assayed in the laboratory using two different tests. In 2001, Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV)-PAV was identified from symptomatic barley plants. The following year in 2002, in addition to the detection of BYDV-PAV (luteovirus) in both barley and oats, another virus, Cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV)-RPV (polerovirus), was found in oats. Although barley and oats have been grown in Alaska for over fifty years, and BYDV is the most frequent and damaging virus of the small grains throughout the world, this is the first definitive detection and identification of BYDV-PAV and CYDV-RPV in Alaska. Since unusual leaf discolorations are often attributed to nutrient deficiencies, it is important for producers to know the exact cause in order to treat the problem effectively.

Technical Abstract: Surveys for viruses belonging to the family Luteovirideae in small grains were conducted in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. In 2002, barley (Hordeum vulgare) and oat (Avena sativum) plants had an unusually high incidence of leaves with bright yellow or red leaves, respectively. These plants were targeted and leaves collected for laboratory analyses using two tests, RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction)with RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Based on the results of these direct tests on the coats protein's nucleic acid (PCR) and serology (ELISA),it is concluded that two distinct virus, Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV (luteovirus) and Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV (polerovirus), were found in oats, and only the former in barley. This is the first documented report of luteovirus and polerovirus infection in small grains in Alaska.