Occurrence and distribution of chrysanthemum virus B (CVB) in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelen)

Chrysanthemum is one of the leading commercial ornamental crops grown for cut and loose flowers and also used as a pot plant in many parts of the world owing to its unsurpassed beauty and economic value. Surveys were conducted during cropping season of 2016 at 23 locations of major chrysanthemum producing districts of Himachal Pradesh to record the prevalence of chrysanthemum virus B. Results revealed that the virus incidence ranged between 5.33 to 54.48 per cent. The characteristic symptoms were severe mosaic, vein clearing and vein banding on leaves along with stunted growth of plants.