Manhattan, Kansas
March 25, 2008
First found by
Kansas State University
researchers in 2006, a newly discovered virus affecting wheat
was officially recognized and named Triticum Mosaic Virus in
2007.
The discovery was made by plant pathologist Dallas Siefers and
wheat breeder, Joe Martin, both of whom are based at the K-State
Agricultural Research Center in Hays.
Triticum Mosaic Virus is now considered one of three viruses
affecting wheat in approximately the same manner - the other two
being Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus and High Plains Virus, said
Erick DeWolf, K-State Research and Extension plant pathologist.
All of these virus diseases are vectored, with varying degrees
of efficiency, by the wheat curl mite, DeWolf said. In addition,
the disease symptoms of all three diseases are virtually
identical, he added.
Although some initial observations have been made, many aspects
of Triticum Mosaic Virus remain largely unknown at this point,
including varietal reaction, distribution within Kansas, and
yield loss potential.
"Although there has been no conclusive varietal screening for
Triticum Mosaic Virus alone yet, it is known that RonL is
susceptible," DeWolf said. That´s important because RonL is the
first variety to have true genetic resistance to Wheat Streak
Mosaic, at least under cool temperature conditions. If RonL
shows Wheat Streak Mosaic symptoms, and temperatures have been
cool, then Triticum Mosaic Virus should be suspected. Otherwise,
the effect of Triticum Mosaic Virus alone on varieties is not
known.
To date, Triticum Mosaic Virus has been confirmed in Cheyenne,
Ellis, Ford, Ness, Osborne, Pawnee, and Thomas counties in
Kansas, the plant pathologist said. These are the only locations
where samples have been taken for testing, and all have been
positive so far.
At this point, there is no reason for producers to be unduly
alarmed by the detection of this new virus disease on wheat,
DeWolf said.
"Triticum Mosaic Virus may have been present at low levels for
many years in the High Plains, and was only now detected when
disease symptoms appeared on RonL, which is known to be
resistant to Wheat Streak Mosaic under most conditions," he
said. "It is also possible that Triticum Mosaic Virus is new to
the High Plains, but there is no way to know for sure."
Because Triticum Mosaic Virus is vectored in the same manner as
Wheat Streak Mosaic and High Plains Virus, producers should take
the same preventive measures against the disease: control
volunteer wheat and plant after the Hessian fly-free date,
DeWolf said. There is no practical way for producers to
distinguish Triticum Mosaic Virus symptoms from the symptoms of
Wheat Streak Mosaic - unless the symptoms occur on RonL.
K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas
State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative
Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute
useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by
county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county
Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and
regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the
K-State campus, Manhattan. |
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