Control of Potyviruses : Enhancement in the Production and Properties of Horticultural and Agricultural Crops

Abstract

Potyviruses can cause serious diseases in flowers, fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and other important agricultural crops. Many viruses of <i>Potyviridae </i>family are not only responsible for substantial losses in yield but also affect quality of the different crops. Due to infection by potyvirus, plants grow unhealthy with poor defense system and malformation in flowers and fruits can also be observed. According to the I.C.T.V potyviruses comprise one-third of the plant virus known to us. These viruses can be detected through serological (ELISA, ISEM, RIA, Immunodiffusion and Immunoblotting) and nucleic acid based techniques. Potyviruses under field conditions can be controlled by the use of mineral oil, planting resistant crops and by controlling different vectors.Under laboratory conditions, tissue culture techniques along with chemotherapy and thermotherapy can be applied for the production of virus free plants. For improving the quality and quantity of different crops, stress has been given on the production of virus free plants so, that we get the desired cost in the international agriculture market.