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Title: Serological Detection and Molecular Analysis of Tobacco Ringspot Virus and Strawberry Latent Ringspot Virus in Mint (Mentha sp.)

Author
item ROBERTSON, NANCY
item FURMAN, BONNIE

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2010
Publication Date: 6/20/2010
Citation: Robertson, N.L., Furman, B.J. 2010. Serological Detection and Molecular Analysis of Tobacco Ringspot Virus and Strawberry Latent Ringspot Virus in Mint (Mentha sp.). Phytopathology. 100(6):S109.

Interpretive Summary: Mint is commercially cultivated around the world by the food, medicinal, and landscape industries. A mint germplasm collection of over 400 clonal accessions has been maintained by USDA, Agricultural Research Station in Corvallis, Oregon by the National Clonal Germplasm Repository since 1983, and more recently (2010) in Palmer, Alaska by the Arctic and Subarctic Plant Genetic Resources Unit. Due to an increased concern for viruses occurring in mint, 424 trasplanted mint accessions in Palmer were assayed for selcted viruses previouly known to naturally infect mint. Leaves were collected from plants within four weeks of emergence and evaluated by chemical and molecular techniques. Chemical results confirmed 13 plants were infected with strawberry latent ringspot virus and nine with tobacco ringspot virus. One plant was infected with both viruses. Infected plants were confirmed by molecular tests. Natural occurrence of tobacco ringspot virus in mint is limited to the United States while the distribution of strawberry latent ringspot virus is worldwide. The mint plant virus status is important for the preparation of health certificates for shipping plants to different regions and countries.

Technical Abstract: Mint (Mentha L.)is commercially cultivated around the world by the food, medicinal, and landscape industries. A mint germplasm collection of over 400 clonal accessions has been maintained by USDA, Agricultural Research Station in Corvallis, Oregon by the National Clonal Germplasm Respository since 1983, and more recently (2010) in Palmer, Alaska by the Arctic and Subarctic Plant Genetic Resources Unit. Due to an increased concern for viruses occurring in mint, 424 transplanted mint accessions in Palmer were assayed for selected viruses previously known to naturally infect mint. Leaves were collected from plants within four weeks of emergence and processed for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and total RNA extractions. Assays were performed according to manufacturer’s directions for the following ELISA kits: 1) Agdia, Inc. (IN) - Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV), Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV), and universal potyvirus, and 2) AC Diagnostics, Inc. (AR) - Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Cherry rasp leaf (CRLV). ELISA results confirmed 13 SLRSV and nine TRSV singly infected plants and one plant with a double infection. Infected plants were confirmed by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction for all except one of the TRSV infected plants, and for only three SLRSV infected plants. Natural occurrence of TRSV in mint is limited to the United States while the distribution of SLRSV is worldwide. Maintenance of healthy mint plants is an important aspect when selecting plant material to send to requesting researchers.