Cytopathological effects of banana bunchy top virus and production of BBTV free banana plants using in vitro culture technique.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Virus and phytoplasma dep.plant pathology research institute, Giza.Egypt

Abstract

Banana Bunchy top virus (BBTV) is the most important banana disease worldwide. This study focused on the production of BBTV-free seedlings from infected banana plants. Suckers from the Egyptian plantain Behaira gov., (cv. Grandinane) with distinguished BBTV symptoms were collected. decrease in the number of xylem vessels, severe necrosis of xylem and phloem vessel cells, with blockage of these vessels and the presence of dark-colored foreign materials. Several anatomical changes were observed reflecting the external symptoms on infected plants. Examination of ultrathin sections by Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed changes in the chloroplast, cytoplasm and in nucleus. Cross section of BBTV by microtome technique revealed that Xylem and Phloem cells appear necrotized and blocked with dark stained material. Meristematic apices excised from those suckers were cultured in vitro and sub-cultured five times. The presence of BBTV was evaluated by the Double- Antibody Sandwich Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA). The BBTV was detected in all suckers prior to in vitro experiment. Results revealed that the regenerated plantlets from meristematic tissues were virus-free. This indicates that in vitro culture is a simple and the most effective tool to generate BBTV-free plants.

Keywords