Detection and Distribution of Viruses Infecting Garlic Crops in Australia

The distribution of viruses in eastern Australian field garlic was evaluated. Detection assays were developed that involved generic RT-PCR for the Allexivirus, Carlavirus and Potyvirus genera followed by virus-specific colorimetric dot-blot hybridization. Assays targeted potyviruses (onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV), shallot stripe (SYSV), leek (LYSV)), carlaviruses (garlic common latent (GCLV) (SLV)), allexiviruses A, B, C, X (GarVA, -B, -C, -X) (ShVX)). Virus incidence crops consistently high, with most plants infected at least one from each genus. OYDV, LYSV, SLV, GCLV commonly detected. Three four all districts surveyed but varied incidence, whereas ShVX SYSV not There no association between species complement bulb size, indicating size is a good predictor status planting material. variation across different growing cultivars implies multiple introductions rather than spread within country. genetic diversity observed coat protein sequences some also supports separate introductions.