Die komplexe Virosphäre von Knoblauch (Allium sativum)

The virosphere is the space in which viruses occur and which is influenced by viruses. The clonal propagation of commercially grown garlic makes it especially vulnerable to viruses that are transmissible via sap inoculation such as potyviruses, allexiviruses and carlaviruses. Additionally poty-, carlaviruses use aphids and allexiviruses employ eriophyd mites for their horizontal spread from plant to plant. In a three years project (2016-2019) funded by BMEL/BLE grant 313-06.01-28-1-82.090-15, -17, -115 the virosphere of garlic bulbs and plants were investigated. Whereas in all garlic lines/varieties infections with multiple viruses could be detected, symptom expression varied. Cloves and bulbils did not differ in their virus susceptibility. Multiple abiotic and biotic factors influenced the bulb quality and yield. Since December 2019 a health certificate according to EU regulation 2016/2031 is required for bulbs sold for planting. The month of May was found to be the best time for monitoring virus symptoms.