Occurrence and distribution of Potato virus Y strain N (PVY(N)) on celery in Iran

Celery (Apium graveolens) is an important crop grown in many countries. Different types of diseases present a major constraint to Celery production and can lead to significant reductions in yield Potato Virus Y, the type member of the genus Potyvirus(family Potyviridae) is one of the causal agents of viral diseases in crops. In the present study, PVY occurring in celery fields was determined as the causal agent of mosaic disease of celery (Apium graveolens). The virus is naturally transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner. During growing seasons 2006-2007 celery fields were visited through Tehran Province and a total 332 sample based on selection of plants expressing symptoms like mosaic, vein clearing and mottling were collected. By using serological method (DAS-ELIZA) with specific antiserum of PVY (DSMZ-AS-0137.403) 17.64% of the samples were infected with PVY .The reaction of PVY infected samples were positive in TAS-ELIZA with specific monoclonal antibody (MAbs) of PVYN strain (DSMZ-AS-403.1). PVY N strain isolated from celery was reported for the first time in Iran and in the world in this survey.