A NEW VIRUS-DISEASE OF YELLOW-POPLAR

Viruslike symptoms were observed on leaves of yellow-poplar (Liriodend ron tulipifera) near the New River in Ashe County, North Carolina, in June 1987. Similar symptoms were seen in Oconee County, South Carolina , in 1988, and in Pickens County, South Carolina, in 1991. Many branch es on the original tree in Ashe County had small leaves and shortened internodes. Leaves exhibited chlorotic veinbanding, stippling, and rin g spots. Tissue from naturally infected trees was grafted to healthy y ellow-poplar seedlings, and leaf symptoms similar to those on the natu rally infected trees developed in the greenhouse. Sap inoculation from yellow-poplar seedlings to Chenopodium quinoa resulted in chlorotic l ocal lesions and a faint general chlorosis. Leaf-dip preparations from both sources revealed short, straight rods; 74 particles from C. quin oa averaged 272 nm in length. This is the first viruslike disease desc ribed from yellow-poplar.