Effects of barley yellow dwarf and ryegrass mosaic viruses alone and in combination on the productivity of perennial and Italian ryegrasses |
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| Authors: | P L CATHERALL |
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| Institution: | Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Plus Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 3EB, UK |
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| Abstract: | Moderately severe strains of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and ryegrass mosaic virus (RMV) significantly reduced the heights and yields of perennial ( Lolium perenne ) and Italian (L. multifiorum) ryegrasses. BYDV caused greater reductions in perennial ryegrass than in Italian, whereas the converse was true of RMV. Both viruses together rarely caused greater damage than the most damaging virus on its own. BYDV reduced the aggressiveness of perennial ryegrass more than of Italian, whereas with RMV the converse was true. In mixtures of perennial and Italian ryegrasses, the perennial was suppressed by the Italian when only BYDV was present, the Italian was suppressed by the perennial when only RMV was present, and the status quo was maintained when both viruses were present, even though they reduced the yield of the mixture by over 16%. |
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