Strains of Sugarcane Mosaic Virus in Puerto Rico

Abstract

The great majority of the sugarcane mosaic virus collections from Puerto Rican fields were identified as strain A, B, and D on the basis of symptoms induced on differential hosts C.P. 31294, C.P. 29291, Co. 281, Black Cheribon, and C.P. 31588. Strain A caused little effect on growth and sucrose content of C.P. 31294 while strain D caused severe stunting and reduced sucrose content of the same variety. Strain A was most frequently obtained from sugarcane fields in the Central Rufina area where B. 34104 was planted. Strain D was most frequently obtained from fields in the Central Aguirre area where B. 37161 was planted. Puerto Rican varieties differed greatly in their susceptibility to local mosaic virus strains. Forty-percent mosaic infection was obtained when variety P.R. 980 was inoculated with strain A. This same variety however, developed no mosaic symptoms when inoculated with strain B. Canes recovered from either strain A or strain B can be reinfected in many cases by the same virus strains.