RNA-2 of tobacco rattle virus encodes the determinants of transmissibility by trichodorid vector nematodes

Pseudorecombinant isolates produced from an efficiently transmitted and a non-transmitted isolate of tobacco rattle tobravirus were tested for their trans-missibility by trichodorid vector nematodes. Isolates with RNA-2 originating from the non-transmissible isolate were not transmitted by the vector, whereas isolates with RNA-2 originating from the efficiently transmitted isolate were transmitted efficiently. It is therefore concluded that the factor determining vector transmissibility is located on the RNA-2 genome segment of TRV. Because the serological properties of the isolates also correlate with ransmissibility, it is likely that the virus particle protein is involved in the transmission process. Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) is the type member of th