Development of a sanitation and virus removal methodology in Babaco yolks (Vasconcellea X Heilborii) using in vitro cultivation of microssells

Systemic pathogens has caused a significant reduction in the yields and quality of the fruit in recent years. Recent research, carried out by our group, have revealed the existence of several viruses that infect Babaco. Among these, the Mosaic virus of Babaco (Babmv) and the papaya -annular spot virus (PRSV) are the most important due to its dissemination and severe effects on the crop. The objective of this proposal is to develop a methodology of sanitation and elimination of viruses in Babaco microsseques, using thermos-chemotherapy treatments. As a previous step, an in vitro propagation protocol will be developed that will include the greenhouse phase of the mother plants, disinfection and establishment. Subsequently, a BABMV and PRSV detection methodology will be designed using RT-PCR in real time, to increase the sensitivity of the detection of viruses from segments of yolks extracted from each microssex. The generation of standard curves will serve to quantify and compare the viral load in segments of treated yolks between treatments. The treatment with the lowest percentage of positive yolks for the two viruses will be applied to a second group of in vitro established microssecks, which will be taken to the multiplication phase. The execution of this proposal would constitute the first scientific effort for the establishment of a virus -free Babaco plants program in Ecuador.

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