Subterranean clover red leaf virus and bean yellow mosaic virus in alsike clover

Subterranean clover red leaf virus (SCRLV) and bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) were isolated from alsike clover ( Trifolium hybridum L.) grown in experimental plots on the Canterbury Plains. SCRLV caused reddening of older leaves, and BYMV caused yellowing and streaking of the leaves of infected plants. Some plants were infected by both viruses. A survey in the mid‐altitude zone (50D‐1000 m) of the Southern Alps, where alsike clover is frequently grown, showed that SCRLV was present in this area, but BYMV was not detected. Selection and testing of alsike clover plants showed that some tolerance to infection by SCRLV was present in plants from a Russian seed collection.