Phytopathologia Mediterranea (2008) 47, 115-121

Laura Tomassoli, Giovanni di Lernia, Antonio Tiberini, Gelsomina Chiota, Elisa Catenaro and Marina Barba (2008)
In vitro thermotherapy and shoot-tip culture to eliminate Caper latent virus in Capparis spinosa
Phytopathologia Mediterranea 47 (2), 115-121
Abstract: Capparis spinosa plants in the Sicilian Islands, Italy, are frequently infected with Caper latent virus (CapLV). CapLV affects the vigour and longevity of caper plants and exacerbates the effect of other adverse biotic and abiotic factors. To have CapLV-free cuttings of caper for multiplication and new planting is therefore advantageous for a revival of this crop wherever it is cultivated. An improved procedure for the in vitro thermotherapy combined with the culture of the shoot tips of C. spinosa has been applied to caper material collected from Salina (Aeolian Archipelago) and Pantelleria. More than of 60% (Salina) and 90% (Pantelleria) of the shoot tips survived, and 89-93% of the regenerated plantlets were CapLV-free when tested by RT-PCR. This is the first report on eliminating CapLV from caper plants.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Laura Tomassoli

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Caper latent virus	Caper (Capparis)	Italy