The elimination of four viruses from carnation and sweet william by meristem-tip culture

Carnation mottle virus (CarMV), carnation ringspot virus (CRSV), carnation vein mottle virus (CarVMV) and carnation latent virus (CarLV) were all eliminated from both carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) and sweet william (D. barbatus) plants by meristem-tip culture. Carnation mottle virus was more readily eliminated from D. barbatus than from carnation. Carnation vein mottle and carnation latent viruses were more readily eliminated from carnation than from sweet william: they are rarely found in carnation but CarVMV is found frequently in sweet william. Carnation ringspot was eliminated equally readily from both hosts.