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VIRUSES INFECTING TRAILING PETUNIAS IN SLOVENIA
In the sap of plants with severe symptoms we found cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and viruses from the tobamovirus and potyvirus groups, including potato virus Y (PVY). CMV was present in all plants, but always in a mixture with another virus.
In plants without visible symptoms only potyviruses were found.
We established a stem node culture for several forms of petunias without disease symptoms and exposed them to a temperature of 37°C for two weeks.
After the thermotherapy we isolated apical meristems and obtained rooted plantlets within 4 – 8 weeks.
This method resulted in the successful elimination of potyviruses from the plants.
According to our results, it seems that micropropagation of healthy plants is the most efficient method for the production of good quality plants.