Detection and elimination of shallot latent virus and onion yellow dwarf virus for potato onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum Don)

Abstract

AbstractPotato onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum Don) is an important cash crop in northeastern China. It has the characteristics of cold tolerance and high yield and is very popular among consumers in this region. However, shallot latent virus (SLV) and onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) reduce the height and yield of potato onion plants. The detection of viruses on potato onion plants and virus elimination of plants are the primary ways to prevent viral infection and spread. We used duplex reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and in situ hybridization to detect SLV and OYDV viruses, and determined that the tissue with the least virus content was the apical meristem. Cultivation of detoxifying plants was by multi‐generation shoot tips. The results showed that duplex RT‐PCR could detect SLV and OYDV in potato onion. By use of multi‐generation shoot tip virus elimination, we have demonstrated that multiple generations of shoot tip virus elimination can produce non‐toxic plants during the third generation of virus elimination, and the elimination rate of virus was 96.2%. This work provides a more convenient method for potato onion virus detection and improves the detection efficiency. This method will in turn aid in the development of virus elimination and rapid propagation methods for potato onion.