Abstract
Micropropagated bananas derived from Banana Bunchy-Top Virus (BBTV) infected plants, but displaying no symptoms of the disease, were established in the field. They were grown for three years and produced a plant crop and ratoon crops. No disease symptoms were observed. There was uncertainty as to whether To resolve this question, suckers from these plants and non-infected controls were established in pots and infected with aphids, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq, collected from BBTV-infected plants. All plants produced characteristic Banana Bunchy-Top Disease (BBTD) symptoms in five months. In addition, samples collected from the original symptomless field plants were tested by DAS-ELISA using a polyclonal antibody specific for BBTV. No detectable levels of virus were found in any of the samples. These studies support the view that the symptomless plants were virus free and not symptomlessly infected or BBTV-resistant somaclones generated from micropropagation. Nevertheless there continues to be a need for caution in dissemination of micropropagated bananas, especially when obtained from regions where BBTV is known to occur.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
