Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was isolated from safflower cv. Giza 1 plants
showing mosaic symptoms In the field of EI-Mansoura region, Dakahlia, Egypt.
Identification of virus Isolate was based on symptoms developed on diagnostic hosts,
host range, physical properties, serological techniQues, including precipitin,
agglutination, ouchterlony double diffusion and Rocket immunoelectrophoresis assay
by using the specific antiserum to TMVand electron microscopy.
Safflower TMV Isolate Induced systemic mosaic symptoms on Nicotiana
tabaccum tv. Turkish and chlorotic local lesion without systemic spread on
Chenopodium amaranticolot and C. quno8.
Safflower TMV isolate was inactivated at 8SoC - gooe with stood dilution at 10.5 _10-43,
longevity In vitro more \han 4 months. Safflower TMV virus Isolate was not
transmitted by Myzus persicae, but transmitted mechanically. Transmlssion electron
microscopy (TEM) indicate that, negative stained partially purified virus particles were
rigid rod shaped with 300 - 310 nm In length and 18 nm in width. Protein subunit
molecular weight was '18000. AU serologicallests with sap containing the virus gave
strong reaction with TMV antiserum.