Reaction of canola cultivars to Cauliflower mosaic virus and co-infection of Turnip mosaic virus and Cauliflower mosaic virus under greenhouse condition

The expanding cultivation of canola (Brassica napus L.) in the world indicates the importance of this plant. Out of 12 reported viruses in canola, Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) are of particular importance. Use of resistant cultivars would be the best approach to control losses caused by viral diseases. So far, the reaction of commercial canola cultivars in Iran to CaMV has not been assessed. In this study, 13 commercial varieties of canola were evaluated against a CaMV isolate under greenhouse condition. Analysis of symptom severity index and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of inoculated plants showed that Karaj3 cultivar was tolerant to this virus. In addition, due to co-infection of canola fields with CaMV and TuMV, the reaction of commercial canola cultivars to mixed infections with both viruses was evaluated. The obtained results showed that commercial canola cultivars in Iran were susceptible to both CaMV and TuMV. However, Karaj3 cultivar was considered to be moderately susceptible to CaMV and TuMV co-infection compared to other tested cultivars.