J.Th.J. (Ko) Verhoeven: Identification and epidemiology of pospiviroids

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2 Jun 2010 13:30
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr. J.M. Vlak (Virology)
Co Promotor: Dr. J.W. Roenhorst (Plantenziektenkundige Dienst, Wageningen)

 Pospiviroids belong to the smallest pathogens known to infect plants. The most well-known pospiviroid is Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), which causes severe malformation of potato tubers. In addition, PSTVd and some other pospiviroids may also cause severe diseases in pepper and tomato. This thesis describes the identification of pospiviroids from tomato and solanaceous ornamentals. Comparison of the genomes of the identified pospiviroids indicated that the infections in tomato might originate from ornamental plants. Further studies revealed that pospiviroids could be transmitted from ornamentals to potato and tomato by contaminated hands and knife edges. These findings further substantiated the conclusion that symptomlessly-infected ornamentals indeed functioned as sources of infection for tomato. Furthermore, a new pospiviroid in pepper was characterised. This new knowledge on the occurrence and epidemiology of pospiviroids can be used to review current plant health legislation.
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