Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Detecting Virus and Salivary Proteins of a Leafhopper Vector in the Plant Host
Published on: September 14, 2021
Host-dependent virus accumulation dynamics of blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus in two Rubus species
Andrea Sierra-Mejia1, Richard Adams1, Ioannis E Tzanetakis2
1Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA.
Abstract:
Rubus species, including raspberry and blackberry, are affected by over 40 known viruses that can impact fruit yield, plant vigor, and germplasm movement. These species differ markedly in their response to viral infection, yet the factors that contribute to susceptibility are unknown. We hypothesize this is due to differences in virus accumulation dynamics. We utilized an infectious clone of blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus to assess replication efficiency in 'Munger' black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis, L.), a virus indicator for Rubus viruses, and 'Natchez' blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson), a cultivar that typically is asymptomatic to single virus infections. This study demonstrated that virus accumulation in 'Munger' is over 4.4 × 105-fold higher than in 'Natchez,' based on a model-derived estimate averaged across sampling time points, providing evidence that the host genotype plays a key role in supporting virus replication. These findings deepen our understanding of virus-host interactions and further validate the use of 'Munger' as a virus indicator for Rubus.
Related Concept Videos
What are Viruses?
Introduction to Virus
Viruses of Archaea
Viruses with RNA Genomes
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...

