Infectivity of beet necrotic yellow vein virus
In Germany, experiments were carried out to study the effects of the nutrient salt concentration in the soil on the course of rhizomania caused by beet necrotic yellow vein virus (EPPO A2 organism).
Higher concentrations of ions in the soil resulted in a delayed attack of Polymyxa betae and reduced damage. It could not be determined if this was due to a possible inhibitory effect of specific ions or if the increased osmotic pressure decreased the mobility of the zoospores. Virus content and the amount of resting spores in the rootlets of the plantlets grown in fertilizer enriched soil were lower compared to the control.
Sources
Büttner, G. (1992) Nährsalzkonzentration im Boden und Infektionsverlauf für die viröse Wurzelbärtigkeit/Rizomania der Zuckerrübe.
Gesunde Pflanzen 44, 143-145.