Etiology, molecular characterization and management of viral disease of dendrobium

Abstract

The present study on “Etiology, molecular characterization, and management of virus diseases of Dendrobium” was conducted at the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during the period 2015-2019. The study included survey among different orchid growers in Kerala, etiology of disease, detection of viruses using immunological and molecular techniques and finally finding a management strategy for the diseases. A scoring technique was developed for scoring severity of Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) and Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) and based on which a survey was conducted among different orchid importers and growers in five districts of Kerala. Among a total of 9500 plants surveyed, a minimum five percent virus disease incidence was recorded in all locations surveyed. The present investigation observed the presence of CymMV and ORSV in the imported and cultivated Dendrobium orchids in Kerala. The study also observed that integrating meristem culture followed by root inoculation of P. indica in combination with foliar application of antiviral compounds effectively controls CymMV in Dendrobium orchids. This management practice can be easily adopted by farmers and with ease and had a prolonged effect on Dendrobium orchids.