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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #389129
Research Project: Epidemiology, Vector-Host Plant Interactions, and Biology of Vegetable and Cucurbit Viruses

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Identification of additional viruses contributing to lettuce dieback disease and characterization of Lettuce Dieback associated Virus, LDaV

Author
item Wintermantel, William - Bill

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/13/2021
Publication Date: 10/13/2021
Citation: Wintermantel, W.M. 2021. Identification of additional viruses contributing to lettuce dieback disease and characterization of lettuce dieback associated Virus, LDaV. California Leafy Greens Research Program Mid-Year Meeting, October 13, 2021 (virtual).

Interpretive Summary: Lettuce dieback causes stunting, necrosis and often complete loss of lettuce crops, but diagnosis has been challenging because the disease was believed to have been caused by two tombuviruses, tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and Moroccan pepper virus (MPV), but these viruses inconsistently associated with the disease. At best either MPV or TBSV can be found in only 60 -70% of symptomatic plants. Recent studies by the laboratory demonstrated a novel virus we recently identified, now called lettuce dieback associated virus (LDaV), is actually responsible for causing the disease and its presence in infected lettuce is highly correlated with lettuce dieback disease. Research is focused on development of antiserum against LDaV, cloning of the LDaV genome into an Agrobacterium vector to improve mechanical transmission to lettuce, and identification a biological vector that may transmit LDaV.

Technical Abstract: Lettuce dieback causes stunting, necrosis and often complete loss of lettuce crops, but diagnosis has been challenging because the disease was believed to have been caused by two tombuviruses, tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and Moroccan pepper virus (MPV), that are inconsistently associated with the disease. At best either MPV or TBSV can be found in only 60 -70% of symptomatic plants. Recent studies demonstrated a novel virus we recently identified, now called lettuce dieback associated virus (LDaV), is actually responsible for causing the disease and its presence in infected lettuce is highly correlated with lettuce dieback disease. The new virus, LDaV, is a member of the virus family, Phenuiviridae, based on homology to related viruses and is comprised of three viral genomic RNAs. Research is focused on development of antiserum against LDaV, cloning of the LDaV genome into an Agrobacterium vector to improve mechanical transmission to lettuce, and identification a biological vector that may transmit LDaV.