Eradicaion of Orchid Virus by thermotherapy and Meristem Culture for Disease-Free Oncidium

Abstract

Widespread to viral disease caused by Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CyMV) and Odontoglossum Ring Spot (ORSV) have been reported to reduce the products in orchia culture. The general method of disease-free plant production were thermotherapy and meristem culture. But the thermotherapy was not suitable for oncidium orchid young bulbs changes to yellow and 17 from 20 meristem tips were dead after one week of hot air (40 C) treatment. The others 3 shoots were dead after culture.rnWhen using only meristem culture to eradicated of CyMV and ORSV. It was found that the 8 explants of apical meristem and 2 explants of auxiliary bud meristem of total 107 explants of both (0.2-0.3 mm size) could survive and growth.rnAfter ELIZA test for CyMV and ORSV, the 2 explahts auxiliary bud meristem showed both positive test but only 2 in 8 explants of apical meristem showed negative CyMV and positive ORSV and only one of apical meristem both negative.rnThe only one that free from CyMV and ORSV could be proliferated in Vacin&Went media through the process of orchid mass propagation. The 10% of total number were ELIZA test and all sample showed both negative.