Viruses of globe artichoke: an overview [Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus (L.) Benth.]

An account is given of the current knowledge of viruses infecting globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) and the diseases they cause. Most of the 23 viruses found in these crops were recorded from Europe and Mediterranean Basin, where they constitute serious threats to artichoke industry. They are: 10 viruses with isometric particles about 30 nm in diameter belonging to 6 genera [Nepovirus (Artichoke Italian latent virus, Artichoke yellow ringspot virus, Artichoke Aegean ringspot virus, Tomato black ring virus), Cheravirus (Artichoke vein banding virus), Fabavirus (Broad bean wilt virus), Ilarvirus (Tobacco streak virus), Cucumovirus (Cucumber mosaic virus), Tombusvirus (Artichoke mottled crinkle virus), Anulavirus, a newly proposed genus in the family Bromoviridae (Pelargonium zonale spot virus)]; 2 viruses with rod-shaped rigid particles belonging to the genera Tobamovirus (Tobacco mosaic virus) and Tobravirus (Tobacco rattle virus); 9 viruses with filamentous particles belonging to 4 genera [Potyvirus (Artichoke latent virus, Bean yellow mosaic virus, Turnip mosaic virus), Carlavirus (Artichoke latent virus M, Artichoke latent virus S, an unnamed virus distantly related serologically to Poplar mosaic virus), Potexvirus (Artichoke curly dwarf virus, Artichoke degeneration virus, Potato virus X), Crinivirus (Tomato infectious chlorosis virus)]; 2 viruses with enveloped particles belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae (Cynara virus) or the genus Tospovirus (Tomato spotted wilt virus). The main properties of these viruses are illustrated and the techniques used for their detection and identification are reviewed. Micropropagation techniques for obtaining virus-free plants are also outlined [E' presentato un quadro delle conoscenze sui virus del carciofo (Cynara scolymus L.) e del cardo (Cynara cardunculus L.) e relative malattie. La maggior parte dei 23 virus di queste colture è stata rinvenuta in Europa e nel Bacino del Mediterraneo, dove rappresentano una grave minaccia per le colture. Essi sono: 10 virus con particelle isodiametriche di circa 30 nm appartenenti a 6 generi [Nepovirus (Virus latente italiano del carciofo, Virus della maculatura anulare gialla del carciofo, Virus della maculatura anulare egeo, Virus della maculatura anulare nera del pomodoro), Cheravirus (Virus della striatura delle nervature del carciofo), Fabavirus (Virus dell'avvizzimento della fava), Ilarvirus (Virus della striatura del tabacco), Cucumov