There are several cereal mosaic viruses. Each one has a specific cereal host, as indicated by the virus name (*note: SBCMV only affects wheat). These viruses do not cross-infect to other cereals.
- Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BaYMV)
- Barley Mild Mosaic Virus (BaMMV)
- Oat Mosaic Virus (OMV)
- Oat Golden Stripe Virus (OGSV)
- Soilborne Wheat Mosaic Virus (SBWMV)
- Soilborne Cereal Mosaic Virus (SBCMV)*
*SBCMV only affects wheat.
Yield losses of 50% have been recorded in the patches on susceptible varieties. As patches are quite visible, it is easy to overestimate affected areas. However, overall yield can be reduced substantially as patches spread in successive crops.
These viruses are closely related and all belong to the genus Furovirus or Bymovirus. They are all single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) rod or filamentous viruses. The soilborne parasitic vector Polymyxa graminis infects crop roots and transmits these viruses. The virus survives within the spores of the vector and can persist in the soil, even in the absence of cereal crops, for many (more than 25) years.
Once a plant is infected, control is not possible. Therefore, methods to limit spread and prevent transmission are essential. Cleaning cultivation equipment between fields reduces the risk of the virus spreading.
Error
