Annals of Applied Biology (2009) 154, 351-363
Q.C. Wang, B. Panis, F. Engelmann, M. Lambardi and J.P.T. Valkonen (2009)
Cryotherapy of shoot tips: A technique for pathogen eradication to produce healthy planting materials and prepare healthy plant genetic resources for cryopreservation
Annals of Applied Biology 154 (3), 351-363
Abstract: Cryotherapy of shoot tips is a new method for pathogen eradication based on cryopreservation techniques. Cryopreservation refers to the storage of biological samples at ultra-low temperature, usually that of liquid nitrogen (-196°C), and is considered as an ideal means for long-term storage of plant germplasm. In cryotherapy, plant pathogens such as viruses, phytoplasmas and bacteria are eradicated from shoot tips by exposing them briefly to liquid nitrogen. Uneven distribution of viruses and obligate vasculature-limited microbes in shoot tips allows elimination of the infected cells by injuring them with the cryo-treatment and regeneration of healthy shoots from the surviving pathogen-free meristematic cells. Thermotherapy followed by cryotherapy of shoot tips can be used to enhance virus eradication. Cryotherapy of shoot tips is easy to implement. It allows treatment of large numbers of samples and results in a high frequency of pathogen-free regenerants. Difficulties related to excision and regeneration of small meristems are largely circumvented. To date, severe pathogens in banana (Musa spp.), Citrus spp., grapevine (Vitis vinifera), Prunus spp., raspberry (Rubus idaeus), potato (Solanum tuberosum) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) have been eradicated using cryotherapy. These pathogens include nine viruses (banana streak virus, cucumber mosaic virus, grapevine virus A, plum pox virus, potato leaf roll virus, potato virus Y, raspberry bushy dwarf virus, sweet potato feathery mottle virus and sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus), sweet potato little leaf phytoplasma and Huanglongbing bacterium causing 'citrus greening'. Cryopreservation protocols have been developed for a wide variety of plant species, including agricultural and horticultural crops and ornamental plants, and can be used as such or adjusted for the purpose of cryotherapy.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jari P.T. Valkonen
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potato virus Y | ||||
| Cucumber mosaic virus | ||||
| Plum pox virus | ||||
| Potato leafroll virus | ||||
| Idaeovirus rubi | ||||
| Liberibacter asiaticus | ||||
| Sweet potato feathery mottle virus | ||||
| Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus | ||||
| Grapevine virus A | ||||
| Phytoplasma aurantifolia | ||||
| Banana streak virus |
