Alternanthera Mosaic Virus

Taxonomy

Domain	Viruses
Realm	Riboviria
Kingdom	Orthornavirae
Phylum	Kitrinoviricota
Class	Alsuviricetes
Order	Tymovirales
Family	Alphaflexiviridae
Genus	Potexvirus

Scientific Name

Potexvirus Alternanthera mosaic virus

Common Name

alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV)

Author:Tom Creswell, Purdue University

Reviewed by:Name, Organization

Pathogen

Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV) is a filamentous virus in the family Flexiviridae (genus Potexvirus). Originally described from the low growing khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens) in Australia, it has since been widely reported on Angelonia angustifolia, Portulaca grandflora, Phlox sp., Scutellaria sp., Crossandra infundibuliformis, Nandia domestica and Torenia sp..

Symptoms and Signs

Primary symptoms on both portulaca and phlox consist of light green mottle and mosaic patterns as shown in these photos. Symptom expression depends on the host but rapidly expanding new growth may show few symptoms initially and symptoms may be obscured as foliage ages and becomes near senescent late in the growing season.

Ecology and Spread

The virus spreads locally by mechanical contact, much like Tobacco mosaic virus. Contaminated tools, pots, benches and hands can move the virus to new plants. Long distance movement occurs in commercial greenhouse crops via contamination during propagation operations and transport of infected plants to markets.

Geographic Distribution

No information is currently available on geographic distribution but it appears to be increasing in occurrence in greenhouse floriculture crops.

Management

Since the virus is systemic in the plant all infected plant material must be discarded to prevent spread to new plants. Weeds which may harbor the virus in and near production facilities should be controlled. Workers handling infected material should use disposable gloves and all pots, benches and tools should be disinfected following removal of infected plants.

Diagnostic procedures

AltMV produces a serological reaction that is identical to Papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) so further testing is needed to distinguish between these two viruses. Electron microscopy of sap from infected plants will show the presence of long flexous rods. AltMV may be distinguished from PapMV by extraction of total RNA from symptomatic plants with RT-PCR and direct sequence of PCR products. Diagnosticians' Cookbook.

Resources and References

Baker, C.A., L. Breman, and L. Jones. 2006. Alternanthera mosaic virus Found in Scutellaria, Crossandra, and Portulaca spp. in Florida. Plant Disease. 90:833. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PD-90-0833C

Geering, A.D.W. and J.E. Thomas. 1999. Characterisation of a virus from Australia that is closely related to papaya mosaic potexvirus. Arch Virol 144:577-592.

Hammond, J. and M.D. Reinsel. 2011. Mixed infections and novel viruses in various species of Phlox. Acta Horticulturae 901:119-126.

Hammond, J., M. Reinsel, and C.J. Maroon-Lango, 2006. Identification and full sequence of an isolate of Alternanthera mosaic potexvirus infecting Phlox stolonifera. Arch Virol 151, 477–493.

Lockhart, B.E. and M. L Daughtrey. 2008. First Report of Alternanthera mosaic virus Infection in Angelonia in the United States. Plant Dis. 92:1473

Tang, J., J. D. Olson, F. M. Ochoa-Corona and G. R. G. Clover. 2010. Nandina domestica, a new host of Apple stem grooving virus and Alternanthera mosaic virus. 5:25-27.