Loebenstein, G., Dept. of Virology, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel

A transition from dry farming to irrigated crops occurred in the mid 1950s in Israeli agriculture. This was due to the development of major irrigation schemes and the establishment of numerous small-holder farms, but was accompanied by outbreaks of virus diseases in vegetable and ornamental crops. These viral epidemics led to an intensification of the research efforts in plant virology. The major research fields and achievements are described and prospects for the future are outlined.