High incidence of bright yellow mosaic associated to mixed infections of artichoke latent virus and unidentified nepovirus(es) in globe artichoke in Campania (southern Italy).

In 2005, a virus-like disease was observed in commercial globe artichoke fields in Campania (Southern Italy). Symptoms consisted of stunting and discoloration of the leaf blade (yellow blotches, rings and line patterns). Disease incidence was around 50- 60% with peaks of almost 100% in some areas and was present again in 2006, with a similar apperance and incidence. To identify the possible causal agents, symptomatic plant samples were collected from different locations (Scafati, Pompei). Observations of leaf-dip preparations by electron microscopy showed the presence of a filamentous virus ca. 730-740 nm long and of an isometric virus ca. 30 nm in diameter