Survey for Asparagus Viruses I and II in New Jersey. M. S. Montasser, Graduate Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, Cook College, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, New Brunswick 08903. R. F. Davis, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Cook College, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, New Brunswick 08903. Plant Dis. 71:497-499. Accepted for publication 25 November 1986. Copyright 1987 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-71-0497.

During a 4-yr study of virus diseases of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) in New Jersey, both asparagus viruses I and II (AV-I and AV-II, respectively) were detected in asparagus clones and cultivars growing in the field and greenhouse, with AV-I occurring more frequently than AV-II. The detection of these viruses by ELISA and bioassay in 15 plants of one clone of particular value to the breeding program at Rutgers University varied with the month of testing. A. officinalis var. pseudoscaber was found as a new host naturally infected with both AV-I and AV-II in the field.