Identification and Characterization of Pothos latent virus Causing Necrotic Ringspots and Line Patterns on Lisianthus ( Eustoma grandiflorum ) in Taiwan

Lisianthus ( Eustoma grandiflorum ) grown in screenhouses in Taiwan showed ringspots and concentric line patterns on leaves. A virus having isometric particles approximately 30–32 nm in diameter was isolated from affected lisianthus. Combined results of biological, cytological, serological, molecular and phylogenetic analyses show that the virus can be identified as Pothos latent virus (Po LV ), genus Aureusvirus , family Tombusviridae. Inoculating the virus on non‐infected lisianthus plants reproduced the symptoms previously observed in the field. So, this is the first report of Po LV causing disease in lisianthus and the first report of the virus in Taiwan.