Possible Role of Fungal Viruses in the Distribution and Spread of the Dutch Elm Disease Fungus

Abstract

Double-stranded RNA, which is characteristic of fungal viruses, has been detected previously in isolates of Ceratocystis ulmi. Isolates from states with a long history of Dutch elm disease contained dsRNA, whereas isolates from states with a short history of the disease had no dsRNA. It is suggested that fungal viruses may be a factor in the distribution and spread of C. ulmi.