Viruses Causing Chlorotic Symptoms on Aromatic Plant Nepeta racemosa

Nepeta racemosa L. – or Persian catmint, is an aromatic plant species, used as a source for forming of perennial ornamental plantations. This plant is also useful for other reasons. It repels mosquitoes and cockroaches, because it contains nepetalactone, which has effects on some insects. Chlorotic spotting on the sprigs of the tufts of the perennial plantation of Persian catmint, originated from the trial field of the Institute of Rose, Essential and Medicinal Cultures near Kazanlak, was established in the period 2014-2017. The objective of the study was to establish the viral pathogen or several viral pathogens – agents of virus disease with chlorotic symptoms on the plants. The method used was ELISA, variant DASELISA. Two plant viruses were proven. One of them was Тоmato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) Bunyaviridae family, Tospovirus genus. It was established on N. racemosa in a high percentage of the chlorotic plants in the period 2014-2017. Therefore, TSWV existed in 91 % of the tested chlorotic plants in 2017. The second viral pathogen was Potato virus Y (PVY) – Potyviridae family, Potyvirus genus. PVY was for the first time established as a viral agent of disease on N. racemosa plants in the present study in 2017 together with TSWV . PVY existed in 27 % of the tested chlorotic plants.