Variation in concentration of Shallot virus X in shallot plants at different developmental stages and its implication in diagnosis

Abstract

Shallot is one of the major herbs extensively being used in global cuisine. Shallot, like onion and garlic, is infected by various viruses. Shallot virus X (ShVX) infects shallot and cause significant yield loss. In the present study for the first time, effort has been made to examine the load and distribution of ShVX in various parts of shallot plants. Our study indicates that there is uneven distribution of the virus in the plant which vary with different tissues as well as the age of the plant. Accordingly, choice of tissue and age of the selected tissue was found to be a determining factor in indexing process. It was found that bulb is the most suitable tissue for detection of ShVX followed by young leaf. This study also for the first time proved that ShVX is not a seed borne virus.