Effect of turnip mosaic virus infection on the development, virus titer, glucosinolate concentrations, and storability of rutabaga roots.

Rows of rutabaga plants, grown in a greenhouse groundbed, were inoculated with turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) at 2-wk intervals during root development. Plants inoculated within 12 wk after seeding produced unmarketable roots that were small and elongated with severe goosenecking of the upper root and stem. Dry matter content of healthy roots infected at different stages in their development did not differ significantly. Infected roots contained low levels of virus, independent of the stage of root development at which they were inoculated. The presence of TuMV in roots and decay of the roots in storage were not correlated (...)