VIRUS INFECTION OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN HUNGARY József HORVÁTH 1 - Éva BARACSI 1 - András TAKÁCS 2 - Gabriella KAZINCZI 2 - Richard GÁBORJÁNYI 1 - Rita KRAJCZINGER 1 1 University of Veszprém, Georgikon Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, H-8361 Keszthely, P.O.Box 71, Hungary 2 Office for Academy Research Groups Attached to Universities and Other Institutions, Virology Group, University of Veszprém, Georgikon Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, H-8361 Keszthely, P.O.Box 71, Hungary

Introduction The economic importance of the ornamental plant production has shown remarkable growth. The goal of our work was to make a virological survey of herbaceous ornamental plants in Hungary.

Materials 54 samples (Echinacea purpurea, Heuchera sanguinea, Hosta sp., Paeonia lactiflora, Petunia sp., Pulmonaria sp. and Zanthedeschia aetiopica). Samples were collected from companies, public areas and private gardens, from different regions (Felsőpáhok, Gyenesdiás, Helvécia, Hódmezővásárhely, Keszthely, Nyírbátor, Tata) of Hungary.

Hosta sp. Heuchera sanguinea Pulmonaria sp. Paeonia lactiflora

Echinacea purpurea Petunia sp. Zanthedeschia aetiopica

Methods DAS ELISA test CMV, PVX, PVY, TMV, ToMV and TSWV

Results Mosaic, chlorosis, leaf deformation, and necrotic lesions have been observed on the collected plants. 11 samples were infected with the examined viruses. PVY in the Pulmonaria sp. TSWV in the Heuchera sanguinea. CMV, PVY, TMV and TSWV complex infection in one Echinacea purpurea. CMV (5), PVY (4), TMV (2) in the Petunia samples [P. Surfinia Blue ’Sunblu’ (PVY, TMV and CMV) and P. Surfinia Purple ’Shili Brillar’ (PVY and TMV) ].

Discussion The identified viruses play an important role not only in the horticultural, but also in the other crop production. The identification of viruses in an ornamental crop is the first step to the control of diseases. The intensification of ornamental plant production, the introduction of contaminated propagation plant material, and the outbreaks of virus vectors may play role in the establishment and distribution of viral diseases. All of the investigated plants are perennial, except petunia ones. Perennials as virus reservoirs have a special great importance in the epidemiology of viruses.

Acknowledgements We are grateful to the National Scientific Research Found (OTKA T048323) for their financial support.