Abstract

Damage to ornamental crops by nepoviruses has occurred sporadically in Iran in the past. However, since 2006, outbreaks of nepoviruses have been recorded every year. The most affected ornamental crops were surveyed in two main cultivation areas in provinces of Markazi (Mahallat) and Tehran in 2006 - 2007. In all, 420 samples (with or without any conspicuous virus symptoms) were collected and analyzed by double- antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) with polyclonal antibody to Tomato ring spot virus (ToRSV), Tobacco ring spot virus (TRSV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) . These viruses frequently were detected in samples of many different ornamentals (33 species) and often in mixed infections. Where as 8 samples found to be infected by one virus, 3 samples double infection and 6 samples were mix infected by three viruses. ArMV, ToRSV and TRSV were mechanically transmitted to Vigna unguiculata, Nicotiana tabacum, Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa, Petunia hybrida, Datura stramonium and D. metel indicator host plants and virus recovery was rechecked by ELISA. Of the total of 420 samples tested, 106 samples were reacted with the above virus antiserum. In Tehran, ToRSV was identified in 19 samples (4.52%), TRSV in 7 samples (1.66%), and ArMV in 5 samples (1.19%). In Markazi province, ToRSV was identified in 20 samples (4.76%), TRSV in 20 samples (4.76%), and ArMV in 23 samples (5.47%). In all, TRSV was shown to be prevalent nepovirus infecting ornamentals in these regions.

 Key words: Tomato ring spot virus, tobacco ring spot virus, arabis mosaic virus, DAS-ELISA.