RESUMEN

Economically important viruses such as Tomato spotted wilt virus, genus Tospovirus, are transmissible mechanically and mainly by two thrips species (Thrips tabaci and Frankliniella occidentalis) in Hungary (1). Samples (31) of eight ornamental plant species (Catharanthus roseus, Cyclamen persicum, Dendranthema × grandiflorum, Eustoma grandiflorum, Gerbera sp., Impatiens walleriana, Ocimum basilicum, and Verbena hybrida) were studied. Symptoms including color breaking on flowers and necrotic symptoms on leaves were observed on four samples (C. persicum, I. walleriana, O. basilicum, and E. grandiflorum). Infection by Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) was determined by double-antibody sandwich-ELISA and triple-antibody sandwich-ELISA using antisera obtained from Loewe (Sauerlach, Germany) and the DSMZ. Back inoculation with the F. occidentalis vector was also carried out to Lycopersicon esculentum as indicator plants. Back inoculation was also positive for INSV by symptoms and ELISA. The high amount of ornamental plant production together with the use of virus-infected propagation material and the increasing thrips vector populations may result in significantly increased establishment and distribution of INSV in Hungary. References: (1) M. L. Daughtrey et al. Plant Dis. 81:1220, 1997.