Shoot Growth and Virus Elimination by Antiviral Agents in Node Cultures of Three Rose Cultivars

Abstract

Background and objective: This study was carried out to examine the effects of antiviral agents on shoot growth and virus elimination during node culture in rose 'Deep Purple', 'Natal Briar' and 'Pink Beauty' infected with TRSV and ArMV.Methods: Three varieties of roses confirmed to be infected with TRSV and ArMV through ImmunoStrip® Tests were node-cultured, and the medium was treated with antiviral agents ribavirin and vidarabine at 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg⋅L<sup>-1</sup> . After 60 days of culture, shoot growth and virus infection rates were evaluated.Results: In 'Deep Purple', vidarabine treatment inhibited shoot growth and survival rate more than ribavirin, and had no effect on virus elimination. Treatment of 20 mg⋅L<sup>-1</sup> ribavirin was no significant difference in shoot growth and survival rate compared to control, and TRSV and ArMV infection rates were lowered to 25% and 0%, respectively. In 'Natal Briar', treatment of 10-20 mg⋅L<sup>-1</sup> ribavirin showed no statistical difference in shoot growth compared to the control, but the infection rates of TRSV and ArMV were 100%. The shoot growth and survival rate were greatly suppressed in treatment of 10 mg⋅L<sup>-1</sup> vidarabine, but both TRSV and ArMV infection rates were 50%. In 'Pink Beauty', the higher the treatment concentration of ribavirin and vidarabine, the more the shoot growth was suppressed. Ribavirin had no effect on TRSV elimination, and 20 mg⋅L<sup>-1</sup> vidarabine treatment showed that both TRSV and ArMV infection rates were 50%.Conclusion: Depending on the type and concentration of the antiviral agent, the elimination effects of viruses were different for each variety of rose. It was most effective to treat 20 mg⋅L<sup>-1</sup> ribavirin in 'Deep Purple', 10 mg⋅L<sup>-1</sup> vidarabine in 'Natal Briar', and 20 mg⋅L<sup>-1</sup> vidarabine in 'Pink Beauty' in media for TRSV and ArMV elimination.