Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV), a nonpersistently aphid-transmitted potyvirus, has been reported in field pea (Pisum sativum L.)-growing regions worldwide. In 2014, PSbMV was first identified in field peas in North Dakota, U.S.A. Susceptibility and yield losses attributed to PSbMV infection are influenced by viral pathotype and host genotype. Isolate ND14-1, recovered from North Dakota infected seed and identified as pathotype 4 (P4), was mechanically inoculated onto 20 field pea cultivars under greenhouse conditions. PSbMV susceptibility, number of seeds and pods per plant, yield, symptom expression, and PSbMV seed transmission rates were assessed by cultivar. A risk assessment was developed based on cultivar susceptibility, yield reduction, and PSbMV seed transmission. Risk factors were weighted based on perceived importance to commercial field pea producers. Three cultivars were classified as low risk, seven cultivars were classified as intermediate risk, and 10 cultivars were classified as high risk. Two of the low-risk cultivars, Aragorn and Cruiser, were confirmed to be resistant to this isolate of PSbMV. Cultivar Arcadia was susceptible to PSbMV infection with mild expression of symptoms, but was classified as low risk based on a low seed transmission rate and diminished yield losses. This risk assessment could prove a useful tool for growers in field pea cultivar selection where PSbMV is prevalent.
Keywords: disease development and spread; epidemiology; field crops; oilseeds and legumes; risk analysis; viruses and viroids.