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Date of this Version

6-1953

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

Thesis (M.A.)—University of Nebraska—Lincoln, 1953. Department of Botany.

Comments

Copyright 1953, the author. Used by permission.

Abstract

Spotted wilt has been observed in the vicinity of Lincoln, Nebraska. The disease usually affects only a small number of tomato plants yearly, but in the 1948 season it occurred epidemically with a resulting large loss of the tomato crop.For the past ten years a virus disease of tomatoes, the symptoms of which resemble those of tomato.

Since the disease producing potential of the virus appears to be great this study was made in order to ascertain whether or not the virus was tomato spotted wilt virus.A comparison of several properties and host symptoms of the local virus and a known isolate of tomato spotted wilt virus was made.Further, a limited investigation of insect transmission of the local virus was carried out.

The local virus produced the same type of symptoms on several hosts as did the known isolate of tomato spotted wilt virus.The local virus was very unstable in vitro as was the known isolate. Both viruses were transmitted by dodder.The local virus, however, had a lower dilution end-point than the known isolate.Repeated tests failed to indicate thrips transmission of the local virus and thrips transmission of the known strain was not attempted.

The results indicate that the local virus is tomato spotted wilt virus.

Advisor: W. B. Allington

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