Seed-borne Plant Virus Diseases K. Subramanya Sastry Seed-borne Plant Virus Diseases 123 K. Subramanya Sastry Emeritus Professor Department of Virology S.V. University Tirupathi, AP India ISBN 978-81-322-0812-9 ISBN 978-81-322-0813-6 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-0813-6 Springer New Delhi Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London Library of Congress Control Number: 2012945630 © Springer India 2013 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. 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While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com) About the Author Prof. K. Subramanya Sastry, Ph.D., is emeritus professor in the department of virology at S.V. University, Tirupathi – 517502, A.P., India. (India). He obtained his M.Sc. (Botany) and Ph.D. (Botany) with plant virology special- ization in 1966 and 1973, respectively, from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati (India). He joined Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as a scientist (Plant Virology) during the year 1971 and retired in 1999. He has served at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore 560 089, Karnataka, and also at Directorate of Oil Seeds Research, Hyderabad 500 080, Andhra Pradesh. Prof. Sastry’s research has been primarily on epidemiology and management of virus and virus-like diseases of Horticultural and Oil Seed crops. He has done pioneer research on Begomoviruses of tomato and okra. He has research experience in molecular and biotechnological approaches for characterization and control of viral diseases of horticultural crop plants. Further, he has also published over 120 research papers both in national and international journals. He has also published “Compendium of the Plant Virus Research in India (1903–2008)” having 8,652 plant virus references that is considered as one of the rich sources of information for Indian plant virus research. v Foreword I am delighted to write the foreword for a book on seed-borne viruses, since many economically important viral diseases are spread in nature through seeds. Increasing our knowledge on all aspects of seed-borne viruses is the first step towards developing a strategy for their control. This book represents a comprehensive up-to-date treatise for seed-borne viruses, including detec- tion methods, ecology, epidemiology and control. Attention is also placed on the importance of integrated management to reduce losses caused by seed- borne viruses. I congratulate Dr. K. S. Sastry for his sincere effort and many years of hard work to assemble existing information on seed-borne viruses and make them available in a well organized manner to a wide audience: research scientists, graduate students, extension workers, progressive farmers as well as individuals who are interested in agricultural production at large. I am confident that this book will serve as an important reference for seed-borne viruses which affect agricultural crops, globally. Legume crops are the main source of protein for the majority of people in developing countries. Around 50% of the viruses which infect legumes are seed-borne, and some of them could lead to a complete crop failure. Improving our knowledge on these viruses can be well translated to improved legume crops production, worldwide. It is hoped that this book will serve as an important resource for all agricultural workers dedicated to improved and stabilized crop production through adoption of environment-friendly practices, including the use of virus-free seeds. Khaled M. Makkouk Advisor for Agriculture and Environment National Council for scientific Research (CNRS) P.O. Box 11-8281 Riad El-Solh 1107 2260, Beirut, LEBANONCNRS, Beirut, Lebanon vii Preface Seed, a highly ordered plant structure, is the basic input in crop production. It possesses the qualities necessary for cell division, morphogenesis and regeneration of species. The study of seed itself is as good as the study of life. Seed is one of the vital inputs in the development of agriculture in any country. To increase agricultural production, viability of quality seed is one of the prerequisites. The seed is also one of the most important source for the perpetuation of fungi, bacteria, nematodes, insects, viruses, etc. and acts as an efficient carrier for their spread to new areas through introduction and/or seed trade which is a global enterprise. Among these plant pathogens, viruses are unique in nature and behaviour. As is the case with any seed- transmitted plant pathogens, virus transmission through seeds of higher plants also result from complex interactions between the genetic systems of the host, pathogen and the environment. There is increasing awareness of seed- transmitted viruses with particular reference to their mode of transmission, survival and management. Till date, more than 231 viruses have been reported to be seed transmitted in different food, fiber, weed and ornamental crops. Virus-free seed has assumed multifold significance in quarantine and seed certification for ensuring initial crop health. Circumstantial evidence shows that several viruses have spread to different geographical regions during the process of liberalized seed exchange of crop plants in recent years. Seeds are instrumental in an effective worldwide spread of a range of diseases through international exchange of seeds. The techniques of identification and management of seed-transmitted viruses are completely different from those of other pathogens like fungi, bacteria and phytoplasmas. The information on reliable techniques for detection of seed-transmitted viruses and their management is of immense use in the present international seed trade. The coverage of seed-transmitted plant viruses is limited to few chapters in books on seed pathology. Considerable information in respect of new seed- transmitted viruses, their detection and identification techniques, transmission and management has been generated in recent years. This publication is an endeavor to compile up-to-date literature available on seed-transmitted viruses in a comprehensive form. It is hoped that this book will have an important role to play in the context of the government agencies on new seed policy for liberal import of the seeds of coarse cereals, oilseeds and pulses. The knowledge of seed-transmitted virus diseases on the isolation and identification of viruses in fresh seed lots and their management not only restricts the entry of virus diseases but also will help to prevent the spread ix x Preface of unrecorded virus diseases in the country. Within the scope of this book, elaborate attempts have been made to present a comprehensive account on identification, mode of transmission, ecology, epidemiology and manage- ment of seed-transmitted virus and viroid diseases covered in ten chapters. An up-to-date list of all seed-transmitted viruses and viroids of different host plants is presented in the form of a table for ready reference. The information given on latest molecular techniques for virus detection and management included in this volume will be of immense practical value to researchers and field workers. This work has immensely benefited from critical comments and con- structive suggestions made by Prof. M. V. Nayudu, Dr. S. E. Albrechtsen, Dr. P. Sreenivasulu, Dr. G. P. Rao, Dr. R. K. Khetarpal, Dr. D. V. R. Saigopal, Dr. V. C. Chalam and also assistance offered by our scholarly friends and colleagues. I am highly thankful to all the persons, organizations and various publishers for their prompt help in providing information, photographs and consents for reproduction. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. C. Nagaraja for secretarial work. I thank my wife Mrs. B. N. K. Kumari for her continuous support during the preparation of this book. I dedicate this book to the memory of my parents late K. Panduranga Sastry and Smt. K. Subadramma who have sacrificed everything to give me the best education possible and for their eternal blessings. I hope this book will be of value and interest to many teachers, students, seed biologists, seed technologists, seed companies and researchers at quaran- tine stations as a comprehensive, accurate and easily readable reference book on seed-transmitted plant virus and viroid diseases. I shall deem it an honour and reward if readers find this book useful to them. I welcome suggestions and comments for the improvement of this book in future editions. K. Subramanya Sastry Contents 1 Introduction ............................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................