A survey of virus diseases occurring in Oriental Cymbidium collected from a commerical nursery and home garden in Japan was conducted in 1991-1994. Identification of the vurus was based on partcle morphology, symptomatology in indicator plants, ultrastructure of infected cells and serology. Four viruses, odontoglossum ringspot tabamovirus(ORSV), cymbidium mosaic potexvirus(CyMV), orchid fleck virus (ORV) and a previously underscribed spherical virus, were found in 27 out of 37 Cymbidium plants tested. ORSV was detected from 11 plants belinging to Cym. ensifolium, Cym. forrestii, Cym. goeringii, Cym. kanran, Cym. sinense and Cymbidium spp. showing chlorotic streaks and/or mild mosaic. CyMV was isolated from only one plant of Cymbidium sp. showing mosaic and necrotic spots on leaves. In negatibvely stained dip preparations from plants infected with ORSV and CyMV, rod shaped particles of ca. 310 nm and flexuous rod-shaped ca. 475 nm in length were observed, respectively. The viruses were reacted strongly with respective antiserum to each virus in immunosorbent electron microcopy and inderect ELISA. OFV was isolated from four plants of Cym. formosanum, Cym. kanran, Cym. sinense and Cymbidium sp. showing mosaic and necrotic flecks. The virus had non-enveloped, bullet-shaped particles about 40×120~150 nm in dip preparation. The undescribed spherical virus, ca. 28 nm diameter, was isolated from 11 plants of Cym. forrestii, Cym. goeringii and Cymbidium spp. showing stunting and chlorotic streaks on newly developed leaves. The virus was mechanically transmitted only to Cymbidium orchids. Previously, we designated it as cymbidium chlorotic mosaic sobemovirus(CyCMV)(Kondo et al,1994),as the virus was considered to be a new member of the genus Sobemovirsu.
Oriental Cymbidium
Odontoglossum ringspot tobamovirus
Cymbidium mosaic potexvirus
Orchid fleck virus
Cymbidium chlorotic mosaic sobemovirus