A survey of rose rosette virus and eriophyid mites associated with roses in the Southeastern United States

Authors: SOLO, KATHERIN - University Of Tennessee; COLLINS, SARA - University Of Tennessee; SHIRES, MADALYN - Texas A&M University; Ochoa, Ronald - Ron; Bauchan, Gary; SCHNEIDER, LIESEL - Mississippi State University; HENN, ALAN - Auburn University; JACOBI, JAMES - University Of Georgia; EILLIAMS-WOODWARD, JEAN - University Of Tennessee; HAJIMORAD, M. - University Of Tennessee; HALE, FRANK - University Of Tennessee; WILKERSON, JOHN - Texas A&M University; WINDHAM, ALA - University Of Tennessee; ONG, KEVIN - University Of Tennessee; WINDHAM, MARK - University Of Tennessee

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/7/2020
Publication Date: 7/8/2020
Citation: Solo, K., Collins, S.B., Shires, M.K., Ochoa, R., Bauchan, G.R., Schneider, L.G., Henn, A., Jacobi, J.C., Eilliams-Woodward, J.L., Hajimorad, M.R., Hale, F.A., Wilkerson, J.B., Windham, A.S., Ong, K.L., Windham, M.T. 2020. A survey of rose rosette virus and eriophyid mites associated with roses in the Southeastern United States. HortScience. 55(7):1-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14653-20

Interpretive Summary: The tiny microscopic rose bud mite has been shown to carry a virus which causes rose rosette disease, a fatal disease of roses. Parts of the southeastern United States including Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi have remained free of the disease without any explanation. This study surveyed over 200 locations in these 3 states to determine if the rose bud mite existed and if so did the disease also occur. Mites were collected and identified using light microscopy and plants that exhibited rose rosette disease were tested using molecular tools. Rose bud mites and 2 additional mites were found in low populations on roses, however, the disease was not found in the very southern portions of the state despite the existence of mites in these areas. The reasons for the absence of rose rosette virus and low populations of the rose bud mite in the Deep South are unknown. These studies a re of interest to research scientists, extension agents, rose producers, rose enthusiasts, and home owners.

Technical Abstract: The eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, vectors the causal agent, rose rosette virus (RRV), for rose rosette disease. Parts of the southeastern United States have remained free of the disease, except for disease introductions that were eradicated. A survey of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi plots (n = 204) revealed the southeastern border of RRV. The presence of RRV in symptomatic samples was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Samples were also collected at each plot for detection of eriophyid mites, specifically for P. fructiphilus. These mites were identified through isolation, staining, and light microscopy. Mites were found to be generally distributed throughout the Deep South, however many of these sites contained eriophyid mites that were not P. fructiphilus. Eriophyes eremus was found in all three states. Additionally, an unknown mite was found in nine different locations in both Georgia and Mississippi. More samples of this unknown mite are required for identification. The reasons for the absence of RRV and low populations of P. fructiphilus in the Deep South are unknown.