Epidemiology and control of sugar cane bacilliform virus in Mauritius
| MSI99P2046 | |
| Ganoo, E. S. | |
| University of London, Faculty of Science, London, GB | |
| Epidemiology and control of sugar cane bacilliform virus in Mauritius | |
| Thesis, MPhil | |
| Thesis | |
| 1995 | |
| 142 p., 33 tbls,11 figs,8 pl., 4 appen | |
| En | |
| En | |
| The objectives of this study were to investigate the occurrence of the sugar cane bacilliform virus (SCBV) in Mauritius and to determine its properties. Yellowish white freckles were found in noble cane and electron microscopic examinations revealed the presence of SCBV in Mauritius. The virus was purified by differential centrifugation and the preparation used to produce specific antisera, immunoglobulins and IgG-conjugates. Of the different serological tests evaluated, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immuno-electron microscopy were found to be more sensitive in the diagnosis of the virus. Using these two mechods SCBV was detected in all the 125 noble canes in the cane collection at the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute as well as in commercial varieties, unreleased clones and foreign germplasm. Wild sugar cane species (S. barberi, S. robustum, S. spontaneum), Ripidium, a genus related to Saccharum and the grass Panicum maximum have also been found to be naturally infected. In sugar cane, the virus has been detected in all plant parts with the highest concentration of particles in the first unrolled leaf. The modes of transmission were confirmed to occur by vegetative propogation and mechanical transmission. Insect transmission by the pink sugar cane mealybug (Saccharicoccus sacchari) was unsuccessful. Attempts made to detect the virus in the true seed of sugar cane were negative. No effect on yield was observed when healthy and infected plants of commercial hybrid S17 were compared in the glasshouse. Control of the virus by heat treatment of cuttings, bud and shoot-tip culture in combination with chemotherapy have failed to eliminate the virus. To underatke conclusive studies on SCBV, especially on its effect on the plant and its role in the decline of noble canes as well as its economic importance, it is essential to have disease free noble canes such as Iscambine Striped. Such production is a real challenge which should be met with a combination of various methods with emphasis on apical meristem culture. | |
| SUGARCANE SUGAR CANE BACILLIFORM VIRUS DISEASES PLANT VIRUSES EPIDEMIOLOGY DISEASE CONTROL | |
| MAURITIUS | |
| Sugarcane: Diseases and disease management | |
| 1995-12-07 | |
| En | |
| CAT | |
| 1 | |
| PATH |