Cytoplasmic inclusions due to potato viruses X Y & M in solanaceous plants

The cytoplasmal inclusions induced by the potato viruses X, Y and M were investigated employing differential stains and light microscopy in potato and other related hosts. PVX was found to induce large, intracellular, amorphous X-bodies as against PVY which induced either triangular or mostly irregular granular inclusions. Potato virus M was found to induce crescent or sickle-shaped cytoplasmic inclusions.

The virus induced inclusions were found to be related to the age of infection in the host and are considered to be of diagnostic value for quick and simple detection because of marked differences in their shape etc and that they could be observed in plants having latent or incipient infection of these viruses.