Detection of Cucumber mosaic virus in commercial anthurium crops and genotypes evaluation

In Brazil, Anthurium andraeanum (flamingo flower) stands out as an important species for cut leaves and flowers productions, as well as potted cultivation. Due to the fact that ornamental plants play an important part in the tropical agriculture diversification, there is great interest to know the problems that affect anthurium cultivation in order to improve its productive potential. The aims of this study were identify the causal agent of intense mosaic and leaf deformation observed in anthurium commercial crops from four cities of the Sao Paulo state, Brazil; to assess the extent of the virus occurrence in these cities and the methods for its detection, as well as to analyse the anthurium genotypes reactions in relation to the virus. Anthuriums were sampled from the following cities: Mogi das Cruzes, Pariquera-Acu, Iguape and Registro. Leaves and spathes from symptomatic plants were used in mechanical transmission assays. The virus was transmitted only when spathes were used to prepare the inocula, and it induced Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-like symptoms in the indicator hosts. PTA-ELISA and RT-PCR were performed to identify the virus species, since CMV was detected in all agricultural areas sampled. Anthuriums from IAC varieties, 'Jureia', 'Garoa', 'Eidibel' and 'Astral' and from 'Caipira' and 'Branco' cultivars were inoculated with CMV and all of them were susceptible to the virus. Some of the symptoms observed in CMV infected anthuriums although similar to those induced by Dasheen mosaic virus, are more severe for inducing leaf deformation and intensive mosaic. Both viruses are worldwide spread and transmitted by aphid in a non-persistent manner. Although CMV has a wide host range, it was not found in the literature the presence of anthurium as a host to the virus. The eradication of weed plants, mainly Commelina and Tradescantia that are CMV natural hosts, the elimination of the symptomatic anthuriums and control of the aphid population should also be done in the anthurium crop, since anthurium genotypes with resistance for CMV are not available.