Stability of the aphid transmission phenotype in cucumber mosaic virus

The stability of the aphid transmission phenotype in seven field isolates of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was studied, using aphids Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae . Field isolates, obtained from four vegetable crops, were propagated in squash and Nicotiana glutinosa , and passaged by either aphid transmission or mechanical transfer. All seven isolates were transmissible by both aphids and this aphid transmission phenotype was stable after 20–24 mechanical passages. Upon further mechanical passaging, one of the seven isolates, CMV‐2 A1‐MT 60x, lost its transmissibility by Myzus persicae but was still transmissible by Aphis gossypii , although at a reduced rate. Isolates maintained by both aphid transmission and mechanical transfer were transmitted more efficiently by Aphis gossypii than by Myzus persicae . A comparison of the RNA profiles showed no major differences among the CMV isolates before and after mechanical passage.