The effect of turnip mosaic virus infection on the mineral content and storability of field‐grown rutabaga

This study examined the influence of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) on rutabaga (Brassica napusssp. rapifera (Metzg.) Sinsk) root yield, mineral composition and storability from plants infected during the late stages of first year growth. TuMV‐infected plants from four commercial fields in Ontario, Canada were sampled when one‐sixth to one‐fourth of the plant foliage displayed TuMV symptoms. TuMV was detected in the roots of infected plants but at. low levels. Root yield, root dry matter percentage and the elemental composition of roots were similar from TuMV non‐infected and infected plants in the same field. Nitrogen, ?, ?n and Zn contents in the root tissues were observed to vary among the fields. There was no obvious differences in storability between TuMV non‐infected and infected roots after 5 months at 1°C and 87% humidity