An Investigation Into the “Stripe” Disease of Narcissus

Abstract

SUMMARY The wide variation in appearance of infected plants gives rise to the question whether the name “Stripe” is being applied to one or more diseases. The histological bases of the various types of symptoms are described, and it is shown that they are all produced by the same three factors acting with varying degrees of relative intensity. It is suggested that the disease is caused by a virus complex having at least three components. Inclusion bodies in the cells of diseased plants are described which resemble the X‐bodies associated with some virus diseases. This investigation is being carried out under the auspices of the Agricultural Research Council.