TOMATO MOSAIC-VIRUS INFECTION OF RED SPRUCE ON WHITEFACE MOUNTAIN, NEW-YORK - PREVALENCE AND POTENTIAL IMPACT

Tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV) was detected by enzyme-linked immunos orbent assay in the roots of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) on Whitef ace Mountain, New York. Both virus incidence and concentration in the roots of red spruce vary by site and were greater in trees with little to moderate crown dieback than in trees with severe dieback. There wa s no significant association between virus incidence or concentration in the roots of red spruce and elevation on Whiteface Mountain. Multip le regression analysis of virus concentration in the roots, as the dep endent variable, was performed against nine selected crown and root va riables. In the final regression model, the number of live second-orde r nonwoody roots per length of first-order nonwoody root and length of the live crown were positively and negatively correlated, respectivel y, with virus concentration in the roots. These results suggest a comp lex epidemiology and a potentially significant impact of ToMV infectio n on the growth of red spruce on Whiteface Mountain.