Transmission of Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus By Aphis Gossypii

The objective of this study was to confirm Aphis gossypii as a vector for the Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus (CLRDV) and to determine the conditions under which transmission is best achieved.  Using both whole plants and leaf discs, nonviruliferous and viruliferous aphids were moved onto host tissue and allowed to feed for 3 and 5 days respectively.   During this time, both whole plants and leaf discs were kept in 23C, 25C, and 27C growth chambers.  At 3 days post inoculation, the whole plants were sprayed with Sivanto® and then allowed to grow out for the remaining 3.5 weeks of the experiment.  Aphids on the leaf discs were removed manually at 5 days and the RNA immediately extracted.  CLRDV infection in both whole plants and leaf discs was confirmed using PCR. In this study, transmission of CLRDV by Aphis gossypii was observed under all conditions. Results and implications will be discussed.