First Report of Cherry leaf roll virus in Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea is a popular, summer flowering, ornamental shrub that is native to south and east Asia and North and South America, which is now cultivated throughout the world. Currently, 13 viruses belonging to eight genera have been reported in Hydrangea spp. (1). In April 2011, virus-like disease symptoms, including severe leaf deformation and chlorosis, were observed on two Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Sumiko’ plants from Australia being held in quarantine in New Zealand. Systemic symptoms of veinal necrosis, necrotic halo spots, and severe leaf deformation were observed on Nicotiana occidentalis ‘37B’ 7 days after inoculation with sap from the symptomatic hydrangea plants. Upon reinoculation with sap of symptomatic leaves from N. occidentalis, necrotic ringspots and tip necrosis, typical of nepovirus infection, were observed on leaves of N. tobacum and Chenopodium quinoa, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained sap from symptomatic leaves of N. occidentalis revealed the presence of ...