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An electron microscopic study on the size of lettuce mosaic virus
Zbl. Bakt. Jf. Abt. 134 (1979),563-564
[Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Indian Agric. Res. Enst.itut,e, New Delhi, India, and Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India]
Short Communication
An Electron Microscopic Study on the Size of Lettuce Mosaic Virus V. S.
VERMA
and R. S.
VERMA
With one Figure
Summary Lettuce Mosaic Virus has elongated flexuous particles measuring from 630- 650 nm in length and 15-16 nm in width.
Zusammenfassung Die langlichen, gewundenen Partikel des Salat-Mosaikvirus (lettuce mosaic virus) haben eine Lange von 630-650 nm und eine Breito von 15-16 nm.
A virus disease on Laduca sativa L. was described by KARIANI and PATHANIAN (1960). The present investigation was undertaken to study the length and distribution of the virus, The quick-dip method (BRANDES 1957) for preparing specimens for electron microscopy was used; freshly cut surfaces of leaves were employed. The grids were stained
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Fig. 1. Electron micrograph of lettuce mosaic virus (x 40,120).
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....
564
v. S.
VERlIIA and R. S. VERMA, An Electron Microscopic Study ...
with 2 per cent PTA (Phosphotungstic acid), pH 6.5. An electron microscope, Philips EM 100, was used. Length measurements were done at 40,120 magnification. The original source plant was L. sativa, infected with the virus in an insectproof glasshouse. Several preparations from infected leaves revealed that the virus comprises flexuous particles. The length of the particles varied from 630-650 nm; and all the particles were 15-16 nm wide, as shown in the Figure. The particles were uniform in most preparations and present in good concentration. However, no particles were observed in healthy leaves. The virus described here resembled in morphology and transmission the Carlavirus group of HARRISON et aI. (1971) classification of plant viruses. There is no other virus of this group restricted to the genus Lactuca only. It is proposed to consider this a new virus. It was named "Lettuce Mosaic Virus".
References BRANDES, J.: Nachrbl, dtsch. Pflanzenschutzdienst (Braunschweig) 9 (1957), 151-152. HARRISON, B. D., FINCH, J. T., GIBBS, A. J., HOLLINGS, M., SHEPHERD, R. J., and WETTER, C.: Virology 45 (1971),356-363. NARIANI, T. K., and PATHANIAN, P. S.: Indian Phytopath. 13 (1960),172-173. Authors' address: Dr. V. S. VERlIIA, Tottori University, Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Pathology, Koyama, Tottori city, Japan; Mr. R. S. VERMA, Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.
[Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Indian Agric. Res. Enst.itut,e, New Delhi, India, and Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India]
Short Communication
An Electron Microscopic Study on the Size of Lettuce Mosaic Virus V. S.
VERMA
and R. S.
VERMA
With one Figure
Summary Lettuce Mosaic Virus has elongated flexuous particles measuring from 630- 650 nm in length and 15-16 nm in width.
Zusammenfassung Die langlichen, gewundenen Partikel des Salat-Mosaikvirus (lettuce mosaic virus) haben eine Lange von 630-650 nm und eine Breito von 15-16 nm.
A virus disease on Laduca sativa L. was described by KARIANI and PATHANIAN (1960). The present investigation was undertaken to study the length and distribution of the virus, The quick-dip method (BRANDES 1957) for preparing specimens for electron microscopy was used; freshly cut surfaces of leaves were employed. The grids were stained
.
, ,
.'
,
.' ,
' .
,
/
..
. •
t:
•
,/
.
, . ",
,
" ",
Fig. 1. Electron micrograph of lettuce mosaic virus (x 40,120).
~
....
564
v. S.
VERlIIA and R. S. VERMA, An Electron Microscopic Study ...
with 2 per cent PTA (Phosphotungstic acid), pH 6.5. An electron microscope, Philips EM 100, was used. Length measurements were done at 40,120 magnification. The original source plant was L. sativa, infected with the virus in an insectproof glasshouse. Several preparations from infected leaves revealed that the virus comprises flexuous particles. The length of the particles varied from 630-650 nm; and all the particles were 15-16 nm wide, as shown in the Figure. The particles were uniform in most preparations and present in good concentration. However, no particles were observed in healthy leaves. The virus described here resembled in morphology and transmission the Carlavirus group of HARRISON et aI. (1971) classification of plant viruses. There is no other virus of this group restricted to the genus Lactuca only. It is proposed to consider this a new virus. It was named "Lettuce Mosaic Virus".
References BRANDES, J.: Nachrbl, dtsch. Pflanzenschutzdienst (Braunschweig) 9 (1957), 151-152. HARRISON, B. D., FINCH, J. T., GIBBS, A. J., HOLLINGS, M., SHEPHERD, R. J., and WETTER, C.: Virology 45 (1971),356-363. NARIANI, T. K., and PATHANIAN, P. S.: Indian Phytopath. 13 (1960),172-173. Authors' address: Dr. V. S. VERlIIA, Tottori University, Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Pathology, Koyama, Tottori city, Japan; Mr. R. S. VERMA, Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.