Host range studies of oat blue dwarf virus

Abstract

Eighteen of 67 species of plants, in 7 of 14 families tested, were hosts of oat blue dwarf virus (OBDV) transmitted by the aster leaf hopper, Macrosteles fascifrons (Stal). Barley, oats, wild oats, flax, flowering flax spinach, chrysanthemum, chickweed, and stinkweed developed symptoms of the disease, whereas wheat rye, rape, endive, dill, carrot, bachelor's button, gaillardia, and wild mustard were symptomless hosts; OBDV was transmitted from these species to flax, which was used as an indicator host. The most consistent and characteristic symptom of the disease was enations, associated with veins, on the abaxial surface of the leaves.