Solanum seaforthianum (star potato vine), a species formerly imported from tropical America, is now locally grown in Italy as an ornamental. An apparently new virus has previously been isolated from S. seaforthianum plants showing mosaic symptoms on the leaves, in central Italy. The virus has pleomorphic particles from sphaerical (24×18-30 nm) to bacilliform (24×36,42,48 nm) shape. Virions contain ss-RNA which occurs as six molecules of about 3,400 (RNA-1), 3,030 (RNA-2), 2,050 (RNA-3), 840 (RNA-4), 730 (RNA-5) and 330 (RNA-6) nucleotides, and one coat protein of about 24 kDa. Although Acvrtosiphon pisum. Aphis gossvpii. Mvzus persicae. Frankliniella occidentalis and Trialeurodes vaporariorum failed to transmit the virus in laboratory tests, it was easily mechanically transmitted to a wide experimental host range, including species belonging to ten plant families. Data from the biological characterization of the virus suggest it is a potential danger for the cultivations.

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