The ecology of tropical plant viruses

Abstract

In recent decades ecology has become one of the dominant themes of the biological sciences. However, this has not always been so as the subject emerged from the specialist study of plant and animal communities in natural habitats that were often remote and sometimes exotic. It has since become a unifying all-embracing discipline that is of great importance, not only in botany, zoology and microbiology, but also in international affairs in relation to current issues concerning the environment, conservation, pollution, sustainability and the constraints to the growth of human populations and economies. The current prominence and status of ecology is reflected in the series of Inaugural Lectures of which this is a part. It is concerned with the ecology of tropical plant viruses and Professor Cheke also adopted an ecological approach in his presentation on river blindness. Moreover, Professor Grant dealt with eco-toxicology and Professor Hall has adopted the title of Professor of Chemical Ecology. My presentation is in four parts. A brief section on the history of tropical plant virology and the prominent role that has been and continues to be played by UK scientists is followed by general comments on tropical environments, crops, viruses and vectors. Six important virus diseases are then considered in some detail as a basis for a more general discussion of some of the main issues raised.