Characterization of a filamentous virus from Bermuda grass and its molecular, serological and biological comparison with Spartina mottle virus.

Bermuda grass with mosaic symptoms have been found in many parts of Iran. No serological correlation was observed between two isolates of this filamentous virus and any of the members of the family Potyviridae that were tested. Aphid transmission was demonstrated at low efficiency for isolates of this virus, whereas no transmission through seed was observed. A DNA fragment corresponding to the 3' end of the viral genome of these two isolates from Iran and one isolate from Italy was amplified and sequenced. A BLAST search showed that these isolates are more closely related to Spartina mottle virus (SpMV) than to any other virus in the family Potyviridae. Specific serological assays confirmed the phylogenetic analysis. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis suggested that these isolates could be considered as divergent strains of SpMV in the proposed genus Sparmovirus.

First Report of Strawberry vein banding virus on Strawberry in Italy.

In the summers of 2007 and 2008, diseased strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) were observed in production fields in Ferrara and Forlì-Cesena districts (Emilia-Romagna Region) in northern Italy. Plants exhibited poor growth, leaf chlorosis, decline, and reduced fruit production. Older leaves sometimes displayed a premature purplish discoloration, while the younger leaves appeared chlorotic and were reduced in size with a marked yellow edge. Symptom severity was dependent on the cultivar and growing conditions. Sixty-one leaf samples were collected from diseased plants from production fields and cultivar collections. Each sample was tested by grafting on Fragaria vesca (clone 'UC4 and UC5') and F. virginiana (clone 'UC10' and 'UC11'). Forty-five days after indexing different symptoms, characteristic of viral diseases, appeared on indicator plants. In particular, 24 samples showed Strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV)-like symptoms with chlorotic streaks along and on both sides of the main leaf veins of UC5, UC10, and UC11 indicator plants. Molecular methods were also used to better investigate the causal agent. Nucleic acids were extracted from young leaves of field and indicator plants by the cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide method (1). PCR analyses were performed with primer pair SVBVdeta/SVBVdetb as previously described to specifically amplify a product of 423 bp (2). SVBV was detected on all symptomatic indicator plants and corresponding field samples as well as on the positive control sample (supplied by J. D. Postman, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, OR and I. E. Tzanetakis, Oregon State University, Corvallis). No amplicons were detected from nucleic acids extracted from symptomless strawberry plants. PCR products, amplified from four Italian SVBV isolates, were cloned and sequenced and represent part of ORF IV of the SVBV genome that codes for the coat protein (CP). Italian SVBV isolates were more similar to the U.S. isolates than to the Chinese isolates (Genbank Accession Nos. AY862389, AY955374, X97304, AY605662, AY605663, and AY605664), showing 93 and 86% nt sequence identity, respectively. Strawberry vein banding disease has been reported previously in Italy in 1986 (3), but to our knowledge, this is the first finding of SVBV on strawberry field plants in Italy. SVBV was listed as a quarantine pest by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (OEPP/EPPO) in 1978, but its spread has been increasing within European countries. Further studies should be done to ensure that strawberry propagating material is free of known viruses including SVBV. References: (1) N. Boonham et al. J. Virol. Methods 101:37, 48, 2000. (2) J. R. Thompson et al. J. Virol. Methods 111:85, 93, 2003. (3) A. Pisi. EPPO Bull. 16:353, 358, 1986.

First Detection of Wheat dwarf virus in Barley in Spain Associated with an Outbreak of Barley Yellow Dwarf.

Severe dwarfing, yellowing, and crop failure were observed on barley in northeastern Spain during March and April of 2003. Leaves from 106 plants collected from 15 barley fields were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with commercial antisera (Loewe Biochemica, Munich) specific for Barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV), Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV), the PAV and MAV serotypes of Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), Barley yellow striate mosaic virus (BYSMV), Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV), Brome mosaic virus (BMV), Brome streak mosaic virus, (BStMV), Cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV), Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV), Soilborne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV), and Wheat dwarf virus (WDV). In 70 samples, BYDV-PAV was the sole virus detected; in 20 other samples, this virus was detected in association with WDV, WSMV, BaMMV, and/or BaYMV. Mixed infections were further analyzed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or PCR with specific primers that amplify 445 bp of BaMMV (3), 433 bp of BaYMV (1), 600 bp of WSMV (primer 1: 5'CGAAACGCAGCG TTATTTC3', primer 2: 5'CATCTGAAG GGCTTGACG3'), and 1,200 bp of WDV (4). Eight samples gave the expected amplicons for WDV, two samples gave the expected amplicon for BaMMV, and one sample gave the BaMMV and BaYMV amplicons. No samples gave the amplicon for WSMV. In addition, 10 samples that were positive with ELISA for BYDV, either as a single or as multiple infections with other viruses, were analyzed with specific primers that amplify 600 bp of the BYDV genome (2) and all gave the expected RT-PCR product. ELISA and RT-PCR results agreed completely for WDV and BYDV samples, but agreed poorly for BaMMV and BaYMV (three of seven ELISA-positive samples). PCR products of WDV were subsequently cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of WDV in these barley samples. This report shows the high occurrence of BYDV in barley fields and its association with BaMMV, BaYMV, and WDV infections that induces barley crop failure. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of WDV in Spain. References: (1) M. A. Achon et al. Plant Dis.87:1004, 2003. (2). E. S. G. Canning et al. J. Virol. Methods 56:191, 1996. (3) D. Hariri et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 106:365, 2000. (4) A. Kvarnheden et al. Arch Virol. 147:206, 2002.

First Report of Beet virus Q in Spain.

Beet virus Q (BVQ) is a member of the genus Pomovirus that is transmitted by Polymyxa betae Keskin. Initially described as the Wierthe serotype of Beet soilborne virus (BSBV), BVQ is now considered a distinct virus species based on its genomic properties (1). BVQ is commonly found in fields where BSBV and the causal agent of rhizomania disease, Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), are also present. Simultaneous infection of sugar beet plants with multiple virus species could affect disease symptom expression (4). For this reason, the pathogenicity of BVQ and its role in the epidemiology of rhizomania disease remain a subject of study. During 2004, six soil samples were collected from different sites in the Castilla-La Mancha Region in Spain (Albacete and Ciudad Real provinces) where rhizomania symptoms were observed in BNYVV-tolerant sugar beet cultivars. Soil from the Hainaut Region of Belgium, infected with BNYVV, BSBV, and BVQ and supplied by Prof. C. Bragard (Unité de Phytopathologie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium) was used as a positive control. Sugar beet plants (cv. Asso) were grown in the soil samples for 45 days at 24°C and then root tissue was harvested. All samples were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with commercial BNYVV antiserum (BIOREBA AG, Reinach, Switzerland) and BSBV/BVQ antisera (IC10 and 6G2) supplied by R. Koenig (Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Braunschweig, Germany). Total RNA extracted from sugar beet roots as previously described (3) was tested using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Primers BVQ3F (5'-GTT TTC AAA CTT GCC ATC CT-3') and BVQ3R2 (5'-CCA CAA TGG GCC AAT AGA-3'), which amplify a 690-bp fragment of the triple gene block region of BVQ RNA 3, were designed based on the published sequence (GenBank Accession No. AJ223598). The presence of BSBV and BNYVV was assayed using RT-PCR with previously described primers (2,3). BVQ was detected from plants grown in soil collected from La Roda (Albacete) in Spain and from Hainaut in Belgium. The fragments amplified from Spanish sample with BVQ3F and BVQ3R2 (GenBank Accession No. AY849375) showed 95.9% nucleotide sequence identity with the previously published sequence of BVQ (1). The La Roda BVQ isolate was mechanically transmitted to Chenopodium quinoa from infected sugar beet root tissue. BVQ was detected using RT-PCR in local lesions that appeared approximately 5 days after inoculation and subsequently spread along veins. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BVQ in soil from Spain, although it has been previously reported in Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, and the Netherlands (2). BSBV and BNYVV (type A) were detected in all six Spanish samples, as well as in the Belgian soil. References: (1) R. Koenig et al. J. Gen. Virol. 79:2027, 1998. (2) A. Meunier et al. Appl. Environ Microbiol. 69:2356, 2003. (3) C. Ratti et al. J. Virol. Methods 124:41, 2005. (4) C. Rush Annu. Rev Phytopathol 41:567, 2003.

First Report of Barley yellow mosaic virus in Barley in Spain.

Recently, the presence of Barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV) and the weakly serological detection of Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) were reported in Spain (1); both viruses are members of the genus Bymovirus (family Potyviridae). Random and symptomatic surveys were conducted during February and March of 2003 in barley fields in northeastern Spain to determine the occurrence of BaMMV and BaYMV. Leaves from 316 samples collected in 15 fields were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with commercial antisera specific for BaYMV and BaMMV (Loewe Biochemica, Munich) as well as antisera against both viruses (provided by T. Klumen). Positive ELISA samples were further analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with specific primers that amplify 445 bp of BaMMV and 433 bp of BaYMV (2). Complete agreement was observed between the ELISA and RT-PCR results. Mixed infections of BaYMV and BaMMV were detected in 10 samples, BaYMV in 5 samples and BaMMV in 3 samples. Samples positive for both viruses that exhibited clear mosaic symptoms were collected in two fields. RT-PCR products from five BaYMV-infected samples were cloned and sequenced and showed 96 to 98% identity to BaYMV isolates previously reported from Europe (Genbank Accession Nos. AJ1515479-85 and X95695-7) and 92 to 95% identity with isolates reported from Asia (GenBank Accession Nos. AB023585-96, AJ132268, AJ224619-22, AJ224624-28, AF536944-46, AF536948-58, D01091, D00544, and Z24677). Sequence identity of Spanish isolates were 96 to 99%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BaYMV infecting barley in Spain and illustrates the association of both Bymoviruses infecting barley. References: (1) M. A. Achon et al. Plant Dis. 87:1004, 2003. (2) D. Hariri et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 106:365, 2000.

First Report of a Disease of Peony Caused by Alfalfa mosaic virus.

During the summers of 2001 and 2002, Japanese peony (Paeonia albiflora Pall., synonym P. lactiflora, family Paeoniaceae) plants, cultivated in the Botanical Garden of the University of Parma (Emilia Romagna Region of northern Italy), were found affected by a disease with virus-like symptoms. The oldest leaves showed yellow, mosaic, oak-like arabesques and line-patterns; the remaining leaves and pink flowers were symptomless. A disease of peony, known as peony ring spot disease, has been reported worldwide (Europe, United States, Japan, and New Zeland) for several years and is associated with strains of Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) (1). Electron microscopic observations of peony leaf sap (leaf dip preparations stained with uranyl acetate and phospotungstic acid) did not show the presence of any rod-shaped virus particles, including TRV. Mechanical inoculations of sap from symptomatic leaves caused symptoms typical of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) on Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste & Reyn. (local chlorotic and necrotic lesions and systemic periveinal line-patterns), Ocimum basilicum L. (yellow mosaic), Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (red, local necrotic lesions), and Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun (white, necrotic lesions, systemic leaf malformation, and mosaic), and N. glutinosa L. (systemic leaf variegation). Symptomatic leaves of peony and infected herbaceous plants were analyzed for virus presence by protein A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PAS-ELISA). The polyclonal antisera tested were those to AMV (PVAS 92, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA), AMV-Vinca minor L. (DiSTA collection, Italy), and the nepoviruses Strawberry latent ringspot virus, Tomato ringspot virus, and Cherry leaf roll virus. PAS-ELISA revealed only the presence of AMV. Immunoelectron microscopy and gold-labeled decoration confirmed the identity of the virus. In 2001, five symptomless peony plants (provided by a commercial grower and previously analyzed for AMV and TRV presence) were grafted with shoots from peony showing yellow mosaic on the leaves and maintained in a greenhouse under aphid-proof cage. During the summer of 2002, one of the grafted plants showed a mild mosaic on the leaves; PAS-ELISA revealed this peony was infected by AMV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AMV in peony. Reference: (1) Chang et al. Ann. Phytopathol. Soc. Jpn. 42:325, 1976.

Occurrence of Barley mild mosaic virus on Barley in Spain.

Mosaic and yellowing symptoms were observed on winter barley during March of 2002 in northeastern Spain. Symptoms were similar to those caused by Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and Barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV), members of the genus Bymovirus (family Potyviridae). Leaves from 17 samples of barley were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antisera specific for BaYMV (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA) and BaMMV (Loewe Biochemica, Munich). Five samples tested positive with the BaYMV antiserum, and two samples were positive with the BaYMV and BaMMV antisera. Ranges of ELISA values were from 3.8 to 13 times higher than the negative controls with the BaYMV antiserum and from 18 to 21 times higher with the BaMMV antiserum. Mixed infections were further analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using specific primers that amplify 433 bp of BaYMV (1) and 445 bp of BaMMV coat protein gene (primer 1: 5'GCG TCC GTT GCA ACT GA 3' and primer 2: 5'GAA TTG CTT GTG CCA ACA 3'. A PCR product of the expected size was observed with BaMMV primers but not with BaYMV primers. The sequence of BaMMV PCR product was determined and compared with that of the equivalent regions of other BaMMV isolates (Genbank Accession Nos. AJ242725, AJ224872, D83410, D83408, L49381, Y10973, and Y10974). The greatest nucleotide identity (96 to 98%) was found with isolates from Germany and Italy, followed by those from France and the United Kingdom (89%), and the lowest identity being with isolates from Asia (85 to 88%). The BaYMV presence needs to be confirmed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a bymovirus infecting barley in Spain, and illustrates the continuing spread within Europe of viruses vectored by Polymyxa graminis Led. Reference: (1) D. Hariri et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 106:365, 2000.

Cynoglossum officinale, a New Natural Host of Alfalfa mosaic virus.

Cynoglossum officinale L. (family Boraginaceae), hound's-tongue, is a medicinal plant whose roots are used for their astringent and healing properties and for their sedative, calming, and slightly narcotic effects. This species, originating from Europe where it grows wild in mountainous fields, is cultivated only for its medicinal properties. Epidemiological surveys performed in the Emilia Romagna Region of northern Italy in the spring and autumn of 2001 revealed the presence of virus-like symptoms on C. officinale cultivated in two different locations. In the Botanical Garden of the University of Bologna, the plants showed stunting, interveinal chlorotic spots, midrib necrosis, and scarce or no seed production. In the experimental field of the Agriculture Faculty of Bologna (Imola), the plants exhibited stunting, interveinal chlorotic spots, and reduction of leaf lamina. Mechanical inoculations of sap from symptomatic leaves caused typical symptoms of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AlMV) on Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste & Reyn. (local chlorotic, necrotic lesions and systemic chlorotic vein streaking), Vigna unguicolata (L.) Walp., and Phaseolus vulgaris L. (local necrotic lesions). Using an electron microscope, examination of leaf sap obtained from infected plants stained with uranyl acetate and phosphotungstic acid did not show the presence of elongated virus particles. Serological tests, such as immunoelectron microscopy, gold-labeled decoration, and protein A sandwich indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using antiserum to AMV (PVAS 92, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA, and AlMV-Vinca minor L., from the DiSTA collection, Bologna, Italy as a control), gave positive reactions, indicating that the virus in question was AlMV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of virus infection on C. officinale, a new natural host of AlMV.

Chromatographic (GC-MS, HPLC) and virological evaluations of Salvia sclarea infected by BBWV-I.

Salvia sclarea cultivated at the Herb Garden of Casola-Valsenio (Emilia-Romagna region, Italy) has been found for the first time naturally infected by broad bean wilt fabavirus, serotype I (BBWV-I). Symptomatic plants showed malformed leaves, with chlorotic mosaic followed by yellowing and stunting. BBWV-I was identified by applying virological tests: mechanical inoculations on herbaceous plants, electron microscopy, DAS-ELISA and PAS-ELISA. The essential oil obtained from BBWV-infected material corresponded to 2/3 the quantity of that from healthy material. The GC-MS and HPLC analyses of these oils afforded a comparative analytical profile of the two plant materials attributed to BBWV-I infection. The oils from infected materials showed higher percentages of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (e.g. germacrene D and beta-caryophyllene), monoterpene alcohols (e.g. alpha-terpineol) and diterpenoids (mainly sclareol). In contrast, lower levels of monoterpene hydrocarbons (e.g. myrcene, limonene and the two ocimene isomers) and the principal components (linalyl acetate and linalool) were observed.

First Report of Broad bean wilt virus on Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.).

In the spring and summer of 1998, a severe virus-like disease consisting of chlorotic mottle on leaves, yellowing, and stunting was observed at the Giardino delle Erbe of Casola-Valsenio (Emila-Romagna region, northern Italy). Most of the symptomatic plants were infected with a filamentous virus that was not identified. Moreover, one thyme plant showing yellow leaves was also found infected by an isometric virus, the identity of which was established by the following host reactions and serological assay. It was mechanically transmitted to 33 species belonging to 11 botanical families. All the Chenopodiaceae (Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste et Reyn., C. murale L., C. foliosum Ash., and C. quinoa Willd.) tested showed local and systemic symptoms in 3 to 4 days; among Leguminosae, broad bean (Vicia faba L.) showed necrotic local lesions and wilt. Virus particles reacted in protein A sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the antiserum to Broad bean wilt virus (BBWV), serotype I (supplied from the Istituto di Fitovirologia Applicata, CNR, Turin, Italy). BBWV in the field was in all probability transmitted to thyme by aphids from weeds and/or other medicinal and aromatic species cultivated in the same herb garden, all recently shown to be hosts for BBWV: Polygonum fagopyrum L., Hedisarum coronarium L., Borago officinalis L., Phytolacca Americana L., Digitalis lanata Ehrh., and D. purpurea L. (1). This is the first report of BBWV in T. vulgaris and demonstrates that it is more prevalent in Italy than previously reported. References: (1) C. Rubies-Autonell and M. G. Bellardi. 1999. 7th International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium, Aguadulce, Spain.

Identification of an Isolate of Potato virus Y-Tuber Necrotic Strain on Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea).

In 1999, clary sage plants (Salvia sclarea L.) at the Herb Garden of Casola Valsenio (Emilia-Romagna Region, northern Italy) exhibited malformed leaves with yellow spots and line patterns. Sap from leaves of symptomatic sage plants caused symptoms in inoculated Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste et Reyn. plants (local chloro-necrotic lesions developed 7 to 10 days after inoculation) and Nicotiana tabacum L. 'White Burley' and 'Samsun' plants (systemic veinal necrosis developed ≈ 2 weeks after inoculation). Leaves from symptomatic sage plants tested positive for Potato virus Y (PVY) based on immunoelectron microscopy, gold-labeled decoration, and protein A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using antiserum to PVY (PVAS 50a, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA). Double-antibody sandwich-ELISA, using specific monoclonal antibodies (BioReba AG, Reinach, Switzerland) to the tobacco veinal necrosis strain group of PVY (PVY-N), revealed that the PVY isolate from sage belonged to this group. Immunocapture-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, using specific primers for PVY and the tuber necrotic strain of PVY (PVY-NTN), further classified the sage isolate as PVY-NTN (1). PVY-NTN causes serious damage to potato in Europe. Clary sage, one of the most important aromatic plants cultivated worldwide as a source of essential oils, represents a new natural host of PVY-NTN. Reference: (1) H. L. Weidemann and E. Maiss. J. Plant Dis. Prot. 103:337, 1996.

First Report of Celery Mosaic Potyvirus on Dill (Anethum graveolens).

In the spring and summer of 1997, nearly 90% of dill plants (Anethum graveolens L.) cultivated in a crop of Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy), exhibited viruslike symptoms. Approximately 30% of the plants showed narrowing of the leaf lamina and stunting that evolved to yellow or bronze color. The plants appeared bushy and had low seed production. Electron microscopy of leaf-dip preparations revealed the association of flexuous, potyvirus-like particles of 750 nm in length with diseased dill plants. The identity of this virus was established by differential host reactions and serological assays. It was mechanically transmitted only to Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste et Reyn. and C. quinoa Willd. plants (which showed local chloro-necrotic lesions after about a week), and Petunia × hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr. plants (latently infected). No infections were obtained in several inoculated Umbelliferae plants, including dill and celery (Apium graveolens L.). Therefore, our isolate is similar to that described by others (1,2) and unlike the type strain that infects only members of the Umbelliferae. Virus particles reacted in protein A sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with antiserum to celery mosaic potyvirus (CeMV) (supplied from the Istituto di Fitovirologia Applicata, CNR, Turin, Italy). This result was further confirmed by immunosorbent electron microscopy decoration tests. CeMV in the field was likely transmitted to dill by abundant aphid populations from weeds and/or other Umbelliferae species cultivated in the same location. In particular, the weed host Daucus carota L. and the cultivated Petroselinum sativum Hoffm. plants both exhibited bronze foliage and stunting, and were found to be infected by CeMV. This note represents the first report of CeMV in A. graveolens. References: (1) E. Luisoni et al. Ann. Phytopathol. 1:375, 1969. (2) C. Rubies-Autonell et al. Phytopathol Mediterr. 35:58, 1996.

Seed Transmission of Hibiscus Latent Ringspot Virus (HLRSV).

Commercial seed lots of various cultivars of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) were shown to transmit hibiscus latent ringspot virus (HLRSV) to progeny seedlings in different percentages up to a maximum of 26%. In these greenhouse tests, no symptoms were observed in the infected seedlings. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) of dissected kenaf seeds suggested that seed infection occurs through the embryo. HLRSV was also shown to be seed transmitted in Chenopodium amaranticolor and C. quinoa, in 11% and in less than 1%, respectively, of the seed collected from mechanically inoculated plants. However, transmission of HLRSV through seed was not detected in Abutilon theophrasti. C. quinoa and C. amaranticolor plants infected through seed transmission were invariably symptomless as opposed to mechanically inoculated plants that exhibited systemic symptoms of yellow flecking.

First Report of Broad Bean Wilt Fabavirus on Polygonum fagopyrum.

Buckwheat (Polygonum fagopyrum L.) is an annual medicinal plant useful in convalescence and treatment of anemia. It is widely grown in Europe, where it is sometimes used as human food. In a survey made during 1995 to 1996 in the Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy), a virus was consistently isolated from plants showing yellow or chlorotic mottle on the leaves. It was mechanically transmitted to herbaceous hosts, including Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste et Reyn., C. murale L., C. quinoa Willd., Gomphrena globosa L., and Vicia faba L. (which showed systemic vein clearing, necrosis of terminal leaves, wilting, and death) and identified by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PAS-ELISA, using A protein) as broad bean wilt fabavirus (BBWV) serotype I. Moreover, elongated, potyvirus-like particles, 750 nm in length, were observed by electron microscopy of leaf dips from symptomatic leaf samples of P. fagopyrum. These particles were identified as turnip mosaic potyvirus (TuMV) on the basis of differential host reactions and by serological assays, including PAS-ELISA, immunoelectron microscopy, and gold-labeled antibody decoration. Both BBWV and TuMV may have been transmitted to P. fagopyrum by the abundant aphid populations from other medicinal plants cultivated in the same location. In particular, Digitalis lanata Ehrh. and Hesperis matronalis L. were found to be infected by the same two viruses (50% of diseased plants). This note represents the first report of BBWV, alone or in mixed infections with TuMV, in P. fagopyrum.