Relative Susceptibility Among Alternative Host Species Prevalent in the Great Plains to Wheat streak mosaic virus

• DOI: 10.1094/pdis-09-11-0746-re
• Publication Date: 2012-07-10T21:34:45Z
• Authors: D. Ito; Z. Miller; F. Menalled; M. Moffet; M. Burrows
• Keywords: Avena fatua

Wild grasses, crops, and grassy weeds are known to host Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) its vector, the wheat curl mite (WCM). Their relative importance as a source of WSMV was evaluated. A survey small-grain fields throughout Montana conducted between 2008 2009. Cheatgrass most prevalent weed frequent viral host, with 6% infection by in (n = 125) 15% 2009 358). By mechanically inoculating plants greenhouse, highest susceptibility found rye brome (52.1%), jointed goatgrass (80.9%), wild oat (53.9%. Quackgrass, not previously reported susceptible (12.7%). Mite transmission efficiency from grass species lower than wheat, must be for both WCM serve source. more efficient mechanical transmission. Overall, results indicate that can reservoir, regional variation species' cannot explain geographic epidemic intensity, crop closely related (e.g., goatgrass) remain best reservoirs WCM.