Further studies on losses in productivity caused by infection of annual pasture legumes with three viruses

Abstract

Trials were done in 1988-90 to examine the effects of infection with three non persistently aphid-transmitted viruses on the productivity of manually inoculated spaced plants of annual pasture legumes growing in plots. Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) decreased herbage and root production (dry weights) of three subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars by 20-49%. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) decreased herbage and root production of a murex medic (Medicago murex Wild.) cultivar by 78-90% and of two burr medic (M. polymorpha L.) cultivars by 56-82%. A mild isolate of bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) decreased herbage and root production of a subterranean clover cultivar by 31-40%, but with a severe isolate the corresponding losses were 60-63010 in the same cultivar and 79-80% in another. The severe BYMV isolate caused losses in herbage and root production of 38-61% in two burr medic cultivars. Seed yield losses recorded due to infection of subterranean clover were 71% with AMV and 58-76% with BYMV (severe isolate); both viruses decreased seed size as well as seed yield. CMV decreased seed yield by 94% in a burr medic cultivar; it also decreased seed size.