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Wheat streak mosaic virus research
Dr. Charlie Rush – Professor of Plant Pathology
Jacob Price – Research Associate, Plant Pathology
Angela Simmons – Student worker
Introduction
Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), Wheat mosaic virus (WMoV), and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) are important viral pathogens of wheat throughout the Great Plains region. (Fig. 1, 2, and 3) The most wide spread of these pathogens is WSMV, which is found throughout the Great Plains, with the highest occurrence found in Texas (Burrows 2008). Wheat streak mosaic virus, WMoV, and TriMV are all vectored by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer), which are disseminated by winds from host to host spreading the pathogen. (Fig. 4) Losses due to wheat streak can be as high as 100% during times of severe infection. Little is also known about the spread of these pathogens and the effects of disease severity and yield losses from multiple and single infections. The Texas AgriLife research, Plant Pathology Department, has embarked on many efforts to help producers limit their risk of infection and better manage crop production once disease has occurred.
Overall goals of the Wheat streak mosaic virus research program at Texas A&M AgriLife, Amarillo
By studying the interaction between wheat viral diseases and their vector, we hope to better inform Texas producers of ways to not only limit infection, but to better manage production during times of high disease pressure and to limit losses due to these diseases. The overall project is divided into two areas dealing with epidemiology of the virus and vector as well as management strategies for determination of disease severity of multiple and single viral infections. Specific department research objectives are listed below in Objectives:
