Transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in cereals by two aphid species,Rhopalosiphum padi(L.) andMacrosiphum miscanthi(Tak.)

Abstract

Macrosiphum miscanthi (Tak.) does not occur commonly in cereal crops and is a relatively poor vector of BYDV in New Zealand. No evidence of adaptation of BYDV for more efficient transmission by M. miscanthi was obtained. Using large numbers of M. miscanthi (200 per plant) for transmission of BYDV, however, resulted in severe infection and greatly reduced yield in Clintland 60 oats. If severe epidemics of M. miscanthi develop in cereals in future it could become an important vector and cause serious loss in yield from BYDV.