Passion-fruit woodiness virus as the cause of passion vine tip blight disease

Abstract

A disease of Passiflora edulis, which causes terminal necrosis, severe stunting and complete commercial loss in affected vines, was shown to be caused by a strain of passion fruit woodiness virus. The virus is transmitted efficiently by Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii. An ecological association between the virus and the weed species P. suberosa, where it is tolerated without necrosis, is suggested.