As other vegetable crops borage (Borago officinalis L.) is susceptible to some diseases of viral etiology. Until now two virus have been associated to some virus-like symptoms under natural infection, namely cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and clover yellow vein virus (CYVV).
In order to assess the species behaviour when inoculated with other viruses causing diseases on other vegetable crops, and the potential role it plays in virus epidemiology, borage plants were inoculated with different virus isolates. Susceptibility to tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) and alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) was assesed, borage plants showing mosaic symptoms. The species appeared to be also susceptible to pepper mild mottle virus (PMMV), broad bean wilt virus (BBWV) and lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) showing latent infection. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and potato virus Y (PVY) did not produce any systemic reaction when artificially inoculated in to borage.