Elimination of ornithogalum mosaic virus from chincherinchee (Ornithogalum thyrsoides) by meristem tip culture, and field trials of reinfection |
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| Authors: | A W WANGAI & K R BOCK |
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| Institution: | National Plant Breeding Center, P.O. Njoro, Kenya and; P.O. Box 641, Ukunda, Mombasa, Kenya |
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| Abstract: | Meristem domes excised from plantlets of Ornithogalum thyrsoides infected with ornithogalum mosaic virus (OrMV) in Kenya were cultured on basic Murashige and Skoog medium without added growth hormones. Of the resulting plantlets 30% were virus-free as determined by symptom appearance, mechanical inoculation to virus-free O. thyrsoides , electron microscopy and serological tests. When healthy plants were placed within a field of diseased O. thyrsoides , 35% became re-infected within 4 months and 100% infection was reached within 8 months. However, healthy plants placed in isolation, about 2 km downwind of infected commercial plantings, remained healthy over the 12-month test period. |
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