Plant virus surveys on the island of New Guinea and adjacent regions of northern Australia

Abstract

A series of plant virus surveys was undertaken in Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia’s Torres Strait Islands, Gove and Cape York Peninsula from 1996 to 2000. Confirmed records included Chilli veirtal mottle virus, Dasheen mosaic virus, Papaya ringspot virus, Passion fruit woodiness virus, Watermelon mosaic virus and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus. Peanut stripe virus (Bean common mosaic virus) was widespread in Papua and Fiji disease virus was recorded at one location in Papua New Guinea. The first records of Glycine mosaic virus outside Australia and of a natural infection of Passiflora latent virus in Passiflora foetida are reported.