In vitro thermotherapy and shoot-tip culture to eliminate Caper latent virus in Capparis spinosa

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Phytopathologia mediterranea 2008-08, Vol.47 (2), p.115-121
Main Authors: TOMASSOLI, Laura, DI LERNIA, Giovanni, TIBERINI, Antonio, CHIOTA, Gelsomina, CATENARO, Elisa, BARBA, Marina
Format: Article
Language:English
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RESEARCH PAPERS
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0031-9465
1593-2095
DOI:10.14601/Phytopathol_Mediterr-2614