SOME PROPERTIES OF MACLURA MOSAIC VIRUS A MEMBER OF THE POTYVIRUS GROUP

The mosaic of Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Robinson is caused by a virus which has flexuous particles about 700 nm long. In cells of its hosts the virus causes formation of granular inclusion bodies visible in the light microscope, and submicroscopic inclusions of the pimwheel and lamellar type. Besides by mechanical inoculation and grafting, the virus could be also transmitted by the aphid Myzuspersicae in non-persistent manner. All these findings show that maclura mosaic virus belongs to the potyvirus group.

This virus has a rather narrow host range among herbaceous plants. The infections are local, most frequently in the form of local lesions.