Articles
Experiments on the elimination of plum pox virus and Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum in nectarine (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. var. nucipersica)
Article number
1454_18
Pages
131 – 138
Language
English
Abstract
Peach and nectarines (Prunus persica Batsch) are among the most important fruit species in the Bulgarian fruit production.
Infections caused by numerous phytopathogens can significantly compromise both the yield and vitality of the trees.
Plum pox virus (PPV) and Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum (Ca. P. prunorum) are reported as the most dangerous and destructive pathogens affecting peaches.
In the current study, we investigated the possibility of eliminating both pathogens from the nectarine cultivar ‘Autumn Free’ by chemotherapy under in vitro conditions.
The identification of PPV in the mother tree and in vitro cultured plants was carried out using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), while Ca. P. prunorum was detected by nested PCR (N-PCR). For virus eradication experiments, shoot tips (approx. 0.5 cm) with two leaves were isolated and placed on MS medium supplemented with 2.5 μM BA and 0.005 μM IBA. The initial explants were kept on the same medium for six passages until the required number of plants was obtained.
The apical shoots were further transferred to the same medium with different doses of the chemical antiviral compound ‘Ribavirin’ – 0, 20, 40, or 60 mg L‑1. After four weeks, shoot tips were placed on medium without ‘Ribavirin’ and plant material was tested for both pathogens.
The highest concentration of ‘Ribavirin’ (60 mgL‑1) had a phytotoxic effect on the microplants, and they died at the end of the culture period.
After the second treatment with Rv (20 or 40 mg L‑1), Ca. P. prunorum was not detected in any of the treated variants, but all of them were positive for PPV. To develop effective procedure for PPV elimination, more work is needed to to optimize in vitro chemotherapy.
Infections caused by numerous phytopathogens can significantly compromise both the yield and vitality of the trees.
Plum pox virus (PPV) and Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum (Ca. P. prunorum) are reported as the most dangerous and destructive pathogens affecting peaches.
In the current study, we investigated the possibility of eliminating both pathogens from the nectarine cultivar ‘Autumn Free’ by chemotherapy under in vitro conditions.
The identification of PPV in the mother tree and in vitro cultured plants was carried out using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), while Ca. P. prunorum was detected by nested PCR (N-PCR). For virus eradication experiments, shoot tips (approx. 0.5 cm) with two leaves were isolated and placed on MS medium supplemented with 2.5 μM BA and 0.005 μM IBA. The initial explants were kept on the same medium for six passages until the required number of plants was obtained.
The apical shoots were further transferred to the same medium with different doses of the chemical antiviral compound ‘Ribavirin’ – 0, 20, 40, or 60 mg L‑1. After four weeks, shoot tips were placed on medium without ‘Ribavirin’ and plant material was tested for both pathogens.
The highest concentration of ‘Ribavirin’ (60 mgL‑1) had a phytotoxic effect on the microplants, and they died at the end of the culture period.
After the second treatment with Rv (20 or 40 mg L‑1), Ca. P. prunorum was not detected in any of the treated variants, but all of them were positive for PPV. To develop effective procedure for PPV elimination, more work is needed to to optimize in vitro chemotherapy.
Authors
L. Nacheva, S. Milusheva, M. Gozmanova, R. Valkova, I. Tsvetkov
Keywords
chemotherapy, in vitro virus elimination, micropropagation, PPV, Sharka disease, virus eradication
Groups involved
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Working Group Genetic Transformation and Gene Editing
- Working Group Horticultural Biotechnology and Breeding
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Horticulture for Development
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