Occurence and Yield Effects of Wheat Infected with Triticum Mosaic Virus

Occurence and Yield Effects of Wheat Infected with Triticum Mosaic Virus Authors: D.L. Seifers, J.T. Martin, J.P. Fellers Submitted to: Plant Disease Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) was discovered recently and little is known about the virus’ biology and potential to cause yield reductions. TriMV has been found all across the Great Plains and this study examined whether TriMV infection would re-occur at three specific locations in Kansas over a three year time period. The study also evaluated the effect on yield on numerous varieties. TriMV was inoculated at three Kansas locations in 2007 and over time could only be found in two locations in 2008, and one location in 2009 indicating that infection rates will be different from year to year. Yearly variation was not unique to TriMV as Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and High Plains virus also fluctuated from year to year. At one location in particular in 2009, 85% of the wheat 1.6 km from one site was infected with both TriMV and WSMV, even though only 3% was infected at this study site. Significant reductions in yield and bulk weight were found in Danby, RonL, and Jagalene, three wheat varieties grown on large acreages in Kansas. An experimental line KS96HW10-3 did not have any reductions and appears to have some resistance to TriMV. Overall, this study indicates that TriMV infection rates will tend to vary over time, but TriMV will cause significant yield reductions when infections rates are high in susceptible lines. Contact John Fellers, telephone 785-532-2367, email [email protected]