Serological diagnosis of Hosta Virus X in plants of Hosta Tratt. genus

Hostas are popular shade plants. Gardeners love these plants for their wide range of sizes, textures and colors. Hostas are usually easy to grow. Viruses are an emerging and important issue in growing hostas and HVX is generally considered to be the most economically important virus infecting hostas. Despite the observation of virus like disorders on hosta plants the occurrence of HVX in Ukraine has not been investigated. Considering this, collection of hostas maintained in M. Grishko’s National Botanical Garden (NAS of Ukraine) was investigated for the presence of this virus. Here we describe the necessity of timely diagnostics of HVX. In this work, Hosta virus X has been discovered and isolated. Rabbit polyclonal diagnostic antiserum specific to HVX has been generated. Available collections of hosta plants have been screened for HVX. HVX was found in 5 of the 21 varieties examined. As HVX has had a significant economic impact on hosta growers and can be easily spread the EPPO Secretariat added this virus to the EPPO Alert List in August 2013 (EPPO Reporting Service, 2013). So it is necessary to take measures to reduce the spread of HVX. The use of ELISA or PCR for routine screening of plants can help detect infection before it becomes a major problem. Early detection is critical so that infected plants can be removed from collections, preventing further distribution of the virus.