In cotton crops (Gossypium hirsutum L.), the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major sanitary factor due forts efficiency on transmission of cotton vein mosaic virus (CVMV). The objective of this work was to evaluate the persistence of CVMV on transmission by A. gossypii and to determine the necessary feeding period for inoculation. In the persistence assay, individual aphids wingless viruliferous were separately transferred daily to successive series of healthy plants. The necessary period for inoculation was determined in individual winged and wingless adults viruliferous that were confined in healthy plants for different periods (40 s, 45 min, 1.5 h, 3.0 h, 6.0 h, 12.0 h, 24.0 h and 48.0 h). In the persistence assay, 35% of total aphids transmitted the virus for more that five plants. Transmission for a maximum period of 12 days was verified after the acquisition, thus characterizing the relation virus-vector as persistent. The viruliferous wingless adults transmitted the virus from 1.50 h (5.0% of plants) and attain the maximum percentage in inoculation access period of the 24 h (75.0%). The viruliferous winged adults transmitted in all inoculation access periods, with maximum transmission in period of the 48 h (60.0%). The persistence mode of transmission of CVMV by aphid and the increased efficiency of transmission in function of increased inoculation access period suggest that the transmission of CVMV is indeed of circulative type.
Gossypium hirsutum; Cotton leafroll dwarf virus; aphid; virus-vector relationship; cotton blue disease
