Asiatic hybrid lilies are popular cut flowers with a range of bright colors. Of the several viruses reported from lily (2,3), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) reduces flower quality and yield (1). Classical symptoms of CMV were observed in recently introduced plants of Asiatic hybrid lilies in Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh. The symptoms were mild leaf mosaic, ring spot, transient vein yellowing, occasionally with growth deformation, and flower breaking. Leaf samples from cvs. MonteNegro, Yellow Present, Apeldoorn, Toscana, Connecticut King, and Adelina were collected randomly on the basis of symptom expression. Viral-associated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) analysis was used to analyze tissue from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants for evidence of a possible cucumovirus. dsRNA analysis resulted in a banding profile typical of that seen with cucumoviruses. There was no evidence of dsRNA in the asymptomatic tissue. Presence of CMV in the symptomatic plants was also confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with antiserum from Agdia (Elkhart, IN). Virus from symptomatic tissues was purified and 30 nm polyhedral, viruslike particles were observed that were subsequently tested for CMV with counter immunoelectrophoresis with antibodies of CMV-C and CMV-D (antibodies obtained from H. A. Scott, University of Arkansas) and ATCC CMV antisera PVAS 242-A. Our isolate differs from other prevalent CMV isolates of Kangra Valley, having a narrow host range and not being readily sap transmissible. However, this isolate is normally transmitted to progeny bulblets. Lack of fallow periods, continuous cropping of other CMV-susceptible bulbous crops, and occasional sprouting of uncollected lily bulblets enhance inoculum build-up. Planting of CMV-tested lilies is recommended to avoid disease losses and to reduce viral inoculum floriculture fields. This is the first report of CMV in Asiatic hybrid lilies in India.
References: (1) M. P. Benettii and L. Tomassoli. Acta Hortic. 234:465, 1988. (2) P. Brierley. Phytopathology 30:250, 1940. (3) L. Tomassoli and M. P. Benettii. Adv. Hortic. Sci. 2:117, 1988.
