Application of Biotechniques for In Vitro Virus and Viroid Elimination in Pome Fruit Crops

Abstract

Sustainable production of pome fruit crops is dependent upon having virus-free planting materials. The production and distribution of plants derived from virus- and viroid-negative sources is necessary not only to control pome fruit viral diseases but also for sustainable breeding activities, as well as the safe movement of plant materials across borders. With variable success rates, different in vitro-based techniques, including shoot tip culture, micrografting, thermotherapy, chemotherapy, and shoot tip cryotherapy, have been employed to eliminate viruses from pome fruits. Higher pathogen eradication efficiencies have been achieved by combining two or more of these techniques. An accurate diagnosis that confirms complete viral elimination is crucial for developing effective management strategies. In recent years, considerable efforts have resulted in new reliable and efficient virus detection methods. This comprehensive review documents the development and recent advances in biotechnological methods that produce healthy pome fruit plants.

Elimination effect of electrotherapy and cold therapy combined with chemotherapy on apple scar skin viroid on in vitro apple plants

“…The production of healthy propagating plant material from fruit trees is one of the main preventive and protective measures in the certi cation system because conventional plant protection products cannot guard against virus-like pathogens. Meristem culture, in vivo thermotherapy combined with shoot grafting, and in vitro thermotherapy combined with shoot-tip culture are commonly used for viroid elimination (Hu et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2018;Bettoni et al, 2024).…”

Advances in Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) In Vitro Culture: A Review

“…Thus, ensuring the use of pathogen-free planting materials becomes crucial for effectively managing these diseases and facilitating the global exchange of genetic resources [25]. The efficacy of virus eradication techniques, used individually or together, depends on factors such as virus type, the presence of single or mixed infections, virus concentration, and the interaction between the virus and its host [26]. Choosing an appropriate method for virus elimination requires a deep understanding of plant-virus dynamics and the distribution patterns within the plant [26].…”

“…The efficacy of virus eradication techniques, used individually or together, depends on factors such as virus type, the presence of single or mixed infections, virus concentration, and the interaction between the virus and its host [26]. Choosing an appropriate method for virus elimination requires a deep understanding of plant-virus dynamics and the distribution patterns within the plant [26]. For instance, eliminating viruses and viroids that target the meristematic cells of shoot tips poses greater challenges compared to those that are restricted to the phloem [26].…”

“…Choosing an appropriate method for virus elimination requires a deep understanding of plant-virus dynamics and the distribution patterns within the plant [26]. For instance, eliminating viruses and viroids that target the meristematic cells of shoot tips poses greater challenges compared to those that are restricted to the phloem [26]. Through tissue culture methods, micropropagation enables the propagation of plants in a controlled environment, minimizing the risk of pathogen transmission and facilitating the production of virus-free plant material [6][7][8].…”

Field performance of grafted, micropropagated, and own-rooted plants of three Italian hazelnut cultivars during the initial four seasons of development

“…The in vitro propagation by tissue culture or micropropagation as a method of vegetative propagation of plant or fruit species offers many advantages such as fast propagation of uniform clones ( Yu and Reed, 1995 ; Nas and Read, 2004 ; Leposavić et al., 2016 ). Moreover, micropropagation guarantees the production of healthy material of certain genetic origin and is a valid method for large-scale multiplication of certified material ( Micheli et al., 2018 ; Bettoni et al., 2022 ; Leto et al., 2023 ; Bettoni et al., 2024 ) and of new cultivars obtained from breeding programs (e.g., Tonda Francescana®) ( Bacchetta et al., 2008 ; Prando Sandoval et al., 2014 ; Silvestri et al., 2020 ). Therefore, this technique offers a viable alternative to traditional propagation methods, as it enables the production of a large number of plants in a confined space and independent of seasonal constraints ( Micheli et al., 2019 ).…”