Survey of virus pathogens in gladiolus, iris and tulips in the Czech Republic

The occurrence of Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) in gladiolus, iris, tulip and Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) in iris was investigated by examining the plants by the means of serological techniques (ELISA). ELISA was applied to determine the presence of BYMV, CMV, TRV infections in both aerial and underground parts of gladiolus, iris, and tulip, and IYSV on the aerial parts of iris, respectively. 262 gladiolus plants were tested. 63.7% was infected by BYMV, 29.4 % by CMV, and 2.7 % by TRV. Out of 180 plants of iris, 1.1% was infected by BYMV, 6.7% by CMV, 2.8% by TRV, and 0% by IYSV. Out of 28 plants of tulip, 28.6% was infected by CMV, and 7.1% by TRV. ELISA proved to be a suitable method for detection of viruses in leaves of these ornamental plants, but it often failed to detect viruses in flowers and corms. A high transmission of BYMV by gladiolus cormlets was also found.