Characterization of a Latent Elongated Virus from Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) in Italy

A virus with filamentous particles was isolated from symptomless plants of Cynara scolymus cvs Romanesco and Terom obtained by in vitro meristem culture in northern Italy. The virus was characterized biologically, physico-chemically and serologically. The cytopathology induced by its infection in two artificial hosts (Chenopodium quinoa and Nicotiana benthamiana) was also investigated. The virus has slightly flexuous elongated particles measuring 12 ± 664 nm; its sedimentation coefficient, RNA content, mol. wts. of RNA and coat protein subunits are 150 S, 6 %, 2.2 × 106 and 2.9 × 104, respectively. In microprecipitation tests, it resulted serologically related to poplar mosaic virus (PopMV) (SDI = 4–5). Cellular inclusions and cytopathology observed in both the artificial hosts conform to those of the carlavirus group.