Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) was identified and isolated from Cymbidium hybridum and Phalaenopsis sp. grown in Lithuania. TRV was found infecting orchids in mixed infection with Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) and Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV). Viruses have been identified by the mechanical inoculation of differential host plants, electron microscopy and DAS-ELISA. TRV identification was confirmed in RT-PCR. ORSV was identified in all examined orchid plants grown under greenhouse conditions in Ukraine. CymMV mixed infection with ORSV was found in three plants. The survey of orchid genera (20 species) growing naturally in Ukraine revealed the presence of Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), TRV and Tomato aspermy virus (TAV). The most sensitive to viral infection were plants of Listera ovata, Neotia nidus-avis and Orchis purpurea species.
Keywords: Orchids, viruses, identification.