Feb 25, 2005

Strawberry Latent Ringspot Virus FoundSource: Agricultural Research Service

Strawberry latent ringspot virus, a problem for the past 30-40 years in Europe, has just been discovered in North America by Agricultural Research Service (), the ‘s chief scientific research agency, scientists and cooperators.

Scientists with ARS, , and Elmhirst Diagnostics and Research of British Columbia found the virus on 17 percent of California strawberry samples and on 4 percent of British Columbia strawberries. The virus was also found in a variegated mint. The virus, which can dramatically decrease yields, is spread by nematodes, ARS states.

Plant pathologist of the in Corvallis, Ore., is leading the agency’s efforts in studying and preventing the virus.

The group discovered the virus by doing a broad-spectrum test to look for viruses that may be involved in strawberry decline and variegation of mint. They compared nucleic acid and protein sequences of the virus from strawberry and mint to those in databases.

The scientists believe that the virus has been in this country for many years on an ornamental mint sold throughout the United States – popular because of its bright-yellow color – without anyone noticing. It turns out that the color partially comes from the ringspot virus.

Many of the chemicals that have been used to control this and other viruses transmitted by nematodes are being pulled from the market because of environmental concerns, according to ARS. Martin and ARS colleague are studying alternative ways to control nematode-transmitted viruses, such as rotating a crop that is not a host for the virus so that the nematodes lose the virus and are no longer able to transmit it.

While the virus has only been found on mint and strawberries in the United States, it can infect many broadleaf crops.