Beware wheat virus, growers warned

29 September 2000



Beware wheat virus, growers warned

By Charles Abel

CEREAL growers are being urged to remain vigilant for an aggressive new soil-borne virus that can halve crop yields.

Two new outbreaks were identified in Kent this summer and growers can expect more, say scientists.

Soil-borne wheat virus was first identified in the UK in April 1999 on five fields near Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

Trials there showed 40% yield loss in infected patches.

That is similar to the effects seen in France, where the disease is endemic on well over one-fifth of the wheat area, forcing growers to use resistant varieties only.

Surveys last year and this spring found no further UK outbreaks.

But suspicious crop samples sent to Central Science Laboratory (CSL) by an independent crop consultant in July confirmed two new outbreaks.

These are 10 miles apart on the south coast of Kent.

“After first seeing the disease in Wiltshire, these new findings are of even greater agricultural importance,” says CSL York-based WSBMV expert Dr Gerard Clover.

Further outbreaks can be expected, he warns. “Look at the way Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus took off.”

The disease is carried by a soil organism similar to the rhizomania vector.

Once land is infected, it is virtually impossible to eradicate the disease, says Dr Clover.

However, trials funded by the Home-Grown Cereals Authority on infected land in France have revealed huge differences in varietal susceptibility.

Yields ranged from 2.24t/ha (0.9t/acre) for susceptible Equinox to 8.88t/ha (3.4t/acre) for resistant Charger.

The new sites in Kent both showed characteristic plant stunting in neatly defined patches measuring 10-15m across.

There is no obvious link between the two farms or the original outbreak site in Wiltshire, says Dr Clover.

At the Wiltshire site, a further three fields were confirmed as infected this year, one suffering 60-80% infection and another a 1ha block

This suggests that the virus had been building up for as long as 10 years, says Dr Clover.

He urges all growers to remain vigilant for the disease.

“It is notifiable, so if a case is suspected, it should be reported. CSL currently offers free diagnostic testing and can provide detailed advice on how best to cope with the problem.”

But the best control of the disease is to avoid it in the first place, says CSL pathologist Dr Neil Giltrap.

“Although we have resistant varieties, that resistance could break down. Growers need to think more carefully about the soil that comes onto their farms.”

• Wheat mosaic virus alert, FWi, 08 August, 2000
• No more wheat virus found in Wiltshire survey, FWi, 04 June, 1999