Studies on two Serologically Distinct Raspberry Ringspot Virus Strains from Artichoke

Two raspberry ringspot virus variants, RRV-T and RRV-G, found in artichoke of Turkish and Greek origin, were compared biologically (indexing), biochemically and serologically to two strains of the same virus, RRV-S and RRV-E originating from Scotland and England, respectively. Molecular weight values of protein and nucleic acid of RRV-T and RRV-G were in good agreement with those already known for RRV. RRV-T and RRV-G appeared serologically very similar to each other (serological differentiation index = 1) and well distinguishable from RRV-S and RRV-E (serological differentiation indices varying between 3 and 6). Phaseolus vulgaris cv. La Victoire, Ocimum basilicum cv. Foglia di Lattuga, Cucumis sativus cv. Delicatezza, and Cucurbita pepo cv. Zucchetta striata d'ltalia seemed herbaceous hosts useful for differentiating each strain from the others on symptomatological basis.