Estimation of vector propensity for Lettuce mosaic virus based on viral detection in single aphids

Abstract

Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) is transmitted by aphids nonpersistently causing severe disease outbreaks in commercial lettuce crops. New strategies to control plant viruses have arisen based on molecular techniques, which analyze plant-virus-vector interactions. In this work, two PCR-based methods with a previous immunocapture phase, have been developed to detect LMV in single aphids. Detection rates using a RT-nested-PCR method in single aphids and transmission efficiency of Myzus persicae (vector species) and Nasonovia ribisnigri (nonvector species) were compared. Although the percentage of viruliferous aphids for N. ribisnigri (45.8 ± 2.3) was higher than for M. persicae (39.2 ± 3.5) after the same acquisition access period, N. ribisnigri was unable to transmit the virus while M. persicae proved to be an efficient vector (with a transmission rate per single aphid of 10.4 ± 0.8). A method was proposed to estimate vector propensity for nonpersistent viruses based on the relationship between the percentage of viruliferous aphids and their transmission ability. This methodology could be applied to decision-making and implementing control strategies to prevent virus spreading.