ABSTRACT
The impact of mealybug feeding and Pineapple mealybug wilt associated virus-1 (PMWaV-1) and PMWaV-2 infection on pineapple fruit yield, and the spread of PMWaV-1 and mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) were evaluated under field conditions with a randomized complete block design. Plots of PMWaV-1-free or infected plants were maintained mealybug-free or inoculated with mealybugs (Dysmicoccus spp.) at monthly intervals. Plants infected with PMWaV-2, an integral part of MWP etiology, were nested within plots that were maintained free of mealybugs, and in the plots of PMWaV-1 infected plants exposed to mealybugs. MWP, which only developed in PMWaV-2 infected plants exposed to mealybugs, resulted in a 35% reduction in yield when compared to PMWaV-free plants. Yield reductions were dependent on time of MWP symptom development; the earlier the expression of symptoms the greater the impact on fruit yields. An interaction effect between PMWaV infection, inclusive of both PMWaV-1 and PMWaV-2 infected plants, and mealybug exposure was detected in the plant crop (P < 0.02) but not in the ratoon crop (P > 0.59). This could be explained by the presence of MWP symptom expression during the plant crop and subsequent plant recovery in the ratoon crop. Virus infection, inclusive of PMWaV-1 and PMWaV-2, suppressed yield (P < 0.01) in the ratoon crop. The commercially desirable fruit sizes were most frequently obtained from PMWaV-free plants. Spatial analysis of PMWaV-2 spread, and MWP symptom expression in mealybug inoculated plots showed patterns of aggregation within rows and within beds but not between beds over the course of the study. Initial occurrence of MWP symptom expression in mealybug-inoculated plots was underdispersed indicating random occurrence of PMWaV-2 plants. After 6 months of mealybug exposure, patterns of both PMWaV-2 incidence and MWP were overdispersed. Management strategies are discussed.
