Evidence of a plant virus in Iceland

Abstract

In the south-western part of Iceland virus-like symptoms were observed on various plant species as Betula pubescens, Epilobium angustifolium, Geranium syhatkum, Lupinusnootkatensis, Paeonia peregrina, Sorbus ancuparia, Stachys betonicifolia. A mechanically transmissible virus could be isolated from E. angustifolium. By investigating the host range and by immunoelectron-microscopical and serological methods the isolated virus was identified as turnip mosaic potyvirus. Thus, a plant pathogenic virus was detected in Iceland for the first time.

Turnip mosaic virusand the quest for durable resistance

“…It was first described in the UK (Smith, 1935) in Brassica oleracea . It has a world‐wide distribution, and even has the dubious distinction of being the first plant virus to be identified in Iceland (Kegler et al ., 1998). A good description of the virus was published by Tomlinson (1970).…”