Control of the aphid vectors of plant virus diseases by the use of systemic intersections: Thesis submitted for the National Diploma in Horticulture N.D.H. (N.Z.)

Abstract

The possibility of the existence of excessively small invisible micro-organisms was first suggested by Pasteur during his research on the aetiology of hydrophobia. In 1892 Iwanowski demonstrated the first significant difference between the pathogen we now call a virus and micro-organisms He showed that the cause of tobacco mosaic virus disease could pass through a bacteria proof filter. His work was repeated by Beijerinck in 1898 who introduced his theory of a"contagium vivum fluidum'! Both he, and Baur in 1904, applied the name virus to the causes of tobacco mosaic virus and Abutilon variegation, and used the word to distinguish the cause from micro-organisms.