Notes on East African Plant Virus Diseases Virus Diseases of Passiflora in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya Passiflora spp. are naturally infected with a virus which resembles passion fruit woodiness virus from Queensland, Australia, although different strains may be involved. P. foetida and Chenopodium quinoa proved to be the most reliable test plants for mechanical inoculation. Low percentages of transmission of the virus isolates were obtained with aphids. The virus of P. eichleriana was transmitted by Uroleucon (Uromelan) COI1lposifae, while Aphis fahae proved to be infected with this virus in the field. Woodiness of P. edulis was transmitted by Urolellcon (Uromelan) compositae and by a mixture of aphids collected from Commiphora zimmermannii. Growing of P. edulis in warm areas with a steady temperature, together with preventing a build-up of aphid colonies on nearby plants. are of first importance in preventing woodiness of the fruits.