The Plant Virology Lab at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, since 2008, has participated in the diagnosis of Citrus tristeza virus in Crete and in the annual survey to determine the incidence of this quarantine virus. Moreover, has also actively participated in the mapping of CTV-infected loci in Crete, and has reported its findings to the relevant body i.e. the Dept. Of Phytosanitary Control of the Ministry of Rural Development.
As a response to the increasing market demand for the detection of plant virus infections and the certification of virus-free propagative material, the plant virology lab has developed the necessary infrastructure and technological “know how” in order to provide routine and reliable services for virus diagnosis.
The assay techniques:
- serological (ELISA, immunoprinting, western blot) and
- molecular (RT-PCR and its variations)
are used routinely for the reliable and highly sensitive diagnosis of plant virus and seeds infections.
Laboratory assays for the identification and characterization of a variety of other economically important phytopathogenic viruses (see below), both in plants and in propagative material, are also available subject to consultation with the head of the Plant Virology Laboratory, Dr. Ι. Livieratos , livieratos@maich.gr (tel. 2821035000 [x 535]).
Indicative list of plant viruses:
- Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)
- Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV)
- Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV)
- Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV)
- Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV)
- Watermelon mosaic virus-1 (WMV-1)
- Watermelon mosaic virus-2 (WMV-2)
- Hop stunt viroid (HSVd)