Aubian wheat mosaic virus, a new soil-borne wheat virus emerging in France

The properties of Aubian wheat mosaic virus (AWMV), a new soil-borne wheat virus in France, were investigated. Symptoms include foliar mosaic and seve re stunting of winter wheat. The vector of the disease is unknown but the p lants infected carry Polymyxa graminis in the roots. AWMV was transmitted m echanically to wheat and to two dicotyledoneous species: Lactuca sativa and Vicia faba. This virus was transmitted by seed to three winter wheat culti vars tested. Purified preparations contained rod-shaped particles with a va riable length of 150-700 nm. Certain particles are very long and appear fle xible. Antiserum raised against AWMV reacted specifically with AWMV in both indirect and direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The incide nce of AWMV in 26 winter wheat cultivars was investigated in the field duri ng the growing season of 1999-2000. AWMV was detected in roots and shoots o f all cultivars regardless of the symptoms. Twelve virus species belonging to the genera Benyvirus, Bymovirus, Furovirus, Pecluvirus and Pomovirus did not react with the AWMV antisera. A new tubular virus described in winter wheat in Bedfordshire in England reacted strongly with AWMV in ELISA. It is concluded that AWMV and probably the Bedford-virus constitute a previously undescribed tubular virus biologically and serologically distinct from oth er soil-borne viruses of wheat.