Optimized biological method for the detection of sensitivity of red clover varieties to white clover mosaic virus (WClMV) and red clover mottle virus (RCMV) infection in the climatic conditions of the Czech Republic

Red clover is a very important leguminous plant used in crop rotations on arable land, in temporary as well as permanent clover and grass stands. The persistence of clovers is negatively influenced by pests and diseases that attack the root and shoot parts of the plant. In the course of studies into the presence of viral diseases (2007–2011), the most frequently detected viruses were White clover mosaic virus, (WClMV, genus Potexvirus, family Alphaflexiviridae) and Red clover mottle virus (RCMV, genus Comovirus, family Secoviridae). The two viruses were observed in populations of clover throughout the Czech Republic. RCMV significantly reduced the yield and stand persistence of red clover. Given that no direct protection has yet been developed against the viruses, plant breeding directed to enhancing resistance to both WClMV and RCMV offers good prospects. Both viruses are mechanically transmissible