DISEASES OF PEPEROMIA, IMPATIENS, AND HIBBERTIA CAUSED BY CUCUMBER MOSAIC-VIRUS

Virus isolates from Peperomia, Impatiens, and Hibbertia were identified as cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) by serology, particle morphology, RNA profile and hybridization, and coat protein size. It was possible by RNA:cDNA hybridization to assign the eight isolates to the two accepted groups for CMV: D type isolates (D, F-NY, C-L, H-Y, acid I-N); and S type isolates (S, L(S), and P-S). Serological data agreed in general with the hybridization data but differences were noted. The peperomia isolate (CMV-P-S), which was characterized by the production of large black ringspots on its original host, formed spurs with both D and S viral isolates irrespective of the antisera used but was grouped with S type isolates by DNA hybridization. Isolates from other ornamental species growing in South Carolina were all grouped with D type isolates. Isolate CMV-P-S is the first S type isolate found in South Carolina.