Indian Journal of Virology
  • Year: 2006
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue: 2

P.46. Multiplex RT -PCR, a tool for the quick detection of rice tungro viruses in the leafhopper vectors (Nephotettix virescens)

  • Author:
  • M. Periasamy, F.R. Niazi, V.G. Malathi
  • Total Page Count: 1
  • Page Number: 143 to 143

Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012.

Abstracts of the papers presented at the 16th Annual Convention and International Symposium of Indian Virological Society on “Management of Vector-Borne Viruses” at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru-502324, Hyderabad, India, February 7–10, 2006.

Abstract

Rice tungro is one of the most devastating virus diseases in South and Southeast Asia. It is caused by the presence and their synergistic action of the two dissimilar viruses, one dsDNA virus –Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and another ssRNA virus –Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV). These viruses are spread by the principal insect vector green leafhopper (Nephotettix virescens) in a semi-persistent manner. The abundance of the viruliferous insect vector population constitutes a prime factor for the disease spread and development of epidemics. Therefore, the quick detection of tungro viruses in the vectors becomes essential for tungro disease forecasting and management. To achieve this, multiplex RT-PCR had been developed to both RTBV and RTSV. PCR parameters were optimized for the simultaneous detection of both the viruses in a single PCR reaction. Multiplex RT PCR with standardized conditions detected the presence of both the viruses from the total RNA extracts of five viruliferous leafhoppers.