Ophioviruses infecting ornamentals and a probable new species associated with a severe disease in freesia

The genus Ophiovirus comprises five official species, and two of them, Tulip mild mottle mosaic virus (TMMMV) and Ranunculus white mottle virus (RWMV) naturally infect ornamentals. For some years a severe disease in freesia has been noted in the area round Sanremo, Northern Italy, similar to that earlier reported elsewhere in Europe, with symptoms of chlorotic interveinal lesions on the leaves, later coalescing and becoming sunken and necrotic. Examination by electron microscopy of negatively stained sap extracts of the diseased freesia material showed the presence of particles resembling those of ophioviruses. Partial characterization of the putative new ophiovirus is presented.