ABSTRACT
The ICTV formed the furovirus group in 1987. The group contains bipartite ssRNA genomes and is comprised of fungus-transmitted viruses formerly assigned to the tobamovirus group as possible members and similar viruses. There are many similarities in the properties of furoviruses and tobamoviruses. Measurements of furovirus particles result in distributions with at least two major peaks shorter than 300 nm; in some viruses there is also a peak at ca. 400 nm. Tobacco mosaic tobamovirus has been reported to be serologically related to soilborne wheat mosaic and potato mop-top furoviruses. Some furoviruses induce inclusions which appear very much like those induced by tobamoviruses. Crystalline aggregates of soilborne wheat mosaic virus particles have been described by Hibino and co-workers. Properties of furoviruses have been reviewed by Brunt and Shikata. Broad bean necrosis, Indian peanut clump, peanut clump, and soybean yellow vein are the furoviruses reported in natural infections of legumes.
