Molecular characterization of cucumber mosaic virus isolates infecting ornamental species cultivated in the botanical garden of Bologna university.

During an epidemiological survey carried out in the Botanical Garden at Bologna University, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has been detected by applying PAS-ELISA technique infecting some ornamental species exhibiting a severe symptomatology on the leaves. Datura innoxia Miller. showed mosaic and leaf-curling; Globularia nudicaulis L. produced narrowed leaves with a yellow mosaic and/or variegation; Eupatorium cannabinum L. showed a systemic chlorotic and/or yellow mosaic and stunting. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) were employed to characterise these CMV isolates. Total RNA was extracted from symptomatic leaf samples…

Analisys of a natural population of Cucumber mosaic virus infecting medicinal plants

Pepino mosaic virus outbreaks spread in Sicily

Distribution of three different isolates of Citrus Tristeza Virus in southern Italy

Spread of Pepino mosaici virus to different tomato genotype crops bumble bees.

Huanglongbing (Greening): una possibile minaccia per l’agrumicoltura italiana.

Outbreak of Tomato infectious chlorosis virus in a relevant artichoke producing area of Sicily, Italy.

Glucose, fructose and saccharose metabolism in Dipsacus silvestris infected by Cucumber mosaic virus.

Dipsacus silvestris Miller (or Fuller’s Teasel) (Dipsacaceae) showing stunting, chlorotic leaf mosaic and narrowing of the lamina, has been found for the first time in Italy naturally infected by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). This virus was detected in PAS-ELISA tests and molecularly characterized by applying RT-PCR, using specific primers for the movement protein gene of RNA3 (forward 5’ CTA GGC TTT CCA AGC TAC CAG 3’; reverse 5’ CTA AAG ACC GTT AAC CAC CTG C 3’). The content of glucose, fructose and saccharose, determined by HPLC analysis, was calculated in both healthy (h) and CMV-infected (i) D. silvestris plants during the chronic infection period. An higher content of these carbohydrat…

Il virus della “tristeza” degli agrumi (CTV) mette a rischio l’agrumicoltura italiana.

Characterization of a Cucumber mosaic virus isolate infecting Mandevilla sanderi (Hemsl.) Woodson

In 2004, virus-like symptoms consisting of yellow rings in older leaves were observed in the foliage of Mandevilla sanderi grown from shoots in the province of Catania (Sicily, Italy). The plants were tested for virus presence using DAS-ELISA, mechanical inoculations to the host, RT-PCR and SSCP. Serological tests detected Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in all symptomatic leaf samples. The virus was mechanically transmitted to 11 of the 15 host species tested, including some of the Chenopodiaceae and Solanaceae families; indicator plants showed symptoms typical of CMV subgroup I. RT-PCR, SSCP and cloning were employed to characterize this CMV isolate, and to make clear its genetic relationship…

Effects of Cucumber mosaic virus and Aster yellows phytoplasma (16SrI-B) on the quality of Echinacea purpurea essential oil.

Echinacea purpurea Moench (L.), known as purple coneflower, is one of the most important medicinal plants, used worldwide for its immunostimulant, bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory properties, as natural drug and/or food supplement (as infusion). In a previous study carried out in 2002 in Italy to verify possible influence of viral infectious on the plant oil composition, the oil from plants (grown at the Herb Garden of Casola Valsenio, Emilia Romagna region) infected by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was compared to the one from healthy plant by combined gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. Significant quantitative variations in their compositions were verified; the infec…

Le virosi nell’orticoltura professionale: guida alla prevenzione e alla difesa.

Turnip mosaic virus infecting Eruca sativa in Sicily

In the Spring of 2010, Eruca sativa Mill. (Brassicaceae family), also known as rocket, cultivated in a private garden of Sicily region was found to show a severe virus-like disease consisting of mosaic, interveinal yellowing and/or dark greening areas on crinkled leaves and stunting. Preliminary electron microscopy observations of leaf-dips revealed the presence of flexuous filamentous particles 700-750 nm long. Considering that in 1959, in Italy, this species has been indicated as a natural host of Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), symptomatic leaf samples were serological tested to verify the presence of this potyvirus. Both ISEM and PAS-ELISA analyses were positive to TuMV infection. Mechanica…

Virescence of tenweeks stock associated to phytoplasma infection in Sicily

In April 2007, a severe disease occurred in Sicily (Italy) in a glasshouse cultivation of tenweeks stock belonging to the cultivar White-Beach. Plants were stunted and rosetted, and the flowers were of small size and characterized by virescence symptoms. Phytoplasma presence and identity was detected by applying PCR/RFLP techniques and sequencing of 16S ribosomal gene. Phytoplasmas were identified as belonging to ribosomal subgroup 16SrII-A, never reported before in Italy and showed 99% of homology with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ and related phytoplasmas. This is the first report of a phytoplasma disease of tenweeks stock. Considering that this Brassicaceae ornamental species is …

Effects of Citrus tristeza virus on the fruit quality of tarocco “Comune” sweet orange O.L. in Sicily.