Incidence of alfalfa mosaic virus, lucerne Australian latent virus, and lucerne transient streak virus in lucerne crops in the north island of new zealand

Abstract

The incidence of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMY) in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) Crops in the North Island of New Zealand increased significantly between 1976 and 1982. In contrast lucerne Australian latent virus and lucerne transient streak virus both remained at a low level. Five commercial seed lots of lucerne imported from the United States contained up to 4% seed-borne AMY. Six isolates of AMY from lucerne could be distinguished by symptoms in 5 hosts and by the size and relative amount of in vitro translation products.

Keywords:

• Medicago sativa
• lucerne
• alfalfa mosaic virus
• lucerne Australian latent virus
• lucerne transient streak virus
• seed-borne viruses