The incidence of three virus diseases of winter oilseed rape in England and Wales in the 1991/92 and 1992/93 growing seasons.

The incidence and severity of three diseases of oilseed rape, caused by beet western yellows luteovirus (BWYV), cauliflower mosaic caulimovirus (CaMV) and turnip mosaic potyvirus (TuMV), were assessed in England and Wales in the springs of 1992 and 1993. In 1992, 62% of oilseed rape crops examined were found to contain BWYV, with an average of 28% plants infected; 14% of crops contained CaMV, with an average of 5% plants infected; and TuMV with 3% crops and < 1% plants infected. In 1993, BWYV was found in 42% of crops and 12% of plants infected; CaMV in 25% of crops and 7% of plants infected; and TuMV in 14% of crops and 5% plants infected. The yields of plants showing severe virus symptoms were reduced by an estimated 70 to 79%. The high incidence of CaMV and TuMV in oilseed rape crops could have important consequences for rapeseed production in the UK and also serve as a source of virus for vegetable brassicae.