Transmission of Garlic virus B, Garlic virus C, Garlic virus D and Garlic virus X by Aceria tulipae (Keifer) in leek

Viruses belonging to genus Allexivirus infest garlic and are spread via propagation material and through a vector, the eriophyid mite Aceria tulipae (Keifer). The research material was garlic bulbs originating from Poland, available commercially on the Polish retail market. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of transmission of Garlic virus B (GarV-B), Garlic virus C (GarV-C), Garlic virus D (GarV-D) and Garlic virus X (GarV-X) from garlic bulbs to leek plants by its vector, A. tulipae. These allexiviruses were detected in garlic bulbs and in leek leaves on which transferred mites fed. There was a high similarity of the genetic structure in the isolates of GarV-B, GarV-C, GarV-D and GarV-X collected from garlic bulbs and the isolates collected from the leek plants. The results of the study showed for the first time the potential of GarV-B, GarV-C, GarV-D and GarV-X to infect leek plants and constitutes the first attempt to examine the ability of A. tulipae to transmit these viruses from garlic to leeks.