Preliminary Study on Virus Disease of Vanilla in thailand

Abstract

Samples of mosaic and blistering leaves of Vanilla fragrans Ames were collected at Chumphon Horticulture Research Centre. They were examined for virus particle by Leaf Dip Technique under electronmicroscope and checked for Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CyMV) and Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus (ORSV) by ELISA Test. Disease transmission was also studied by sap inoculation. Eight species of test plant were used (Gomphrean globosa L., Zinnia elegans Jacq., Petunia spp, Callistephus chinensis L., Datura stramonium L., Cassia occidentalis L. and Physalis floridana Rydb). the virus particles, 750 - 800 nm long were found in tissue of mosaic and blistering leaves. Detection of cyMV and ORSV in disease leaves were negative by ELISA. there was no any virus symptoms appeared on eight species of test plants by sap inoculation. Therefore, mosaic and blistering sympotoms on vanilla leaves might be caused by the potyvirus. However, further study of disease transmission, factor involved on virus multiplication in leaf tissue and identification of rvirus particles need to be studied.