Distribution of a Johnson grass strain of sugarcane mosaic virus in New South Wales and studies of the host range of the Johnson grass and sugarcane strains

Abstract

Sugarcane mosaic virus is widely distributed in New South Wales. It was isolated from 10 species of plants. Twenty-seven native and introduced grass species were susceptible to SCMV by mechanical inoculation. Seventeen new hosts of SCMV were recorded. Of 20 virus isolates from eight host species, only one—from sugarcane—failed to infect Johnson grass. The principal reservoir for sugarcane mosaic virus was Johnson grass.