Immunogold silver staining associated with epi-fluorescence for cucumber mosaic virus localisation on semi-thin sections of banana tissues.

The immunogold-silver staining (IGSS) technique in combination with epi-fluorescence detection was used to localise cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) particles within banana infected tissues. For this purpose, tissue samples (2 mm3) were excised from CMV-infected and highly proliferating meristem cultures of Williams BSJ banana (ITC. 0570, AAA, Cavendish subgroup).

The acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues, adefovir, tenofovir and PMEDAP, efficiently eliminate banana streak virus from banana (Musa spp.).

We report that the anti-retroviral and anti-hepadnavirus molecules, adefovir, tenofovir and 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (PMEDAP), efficiently eradicate the episomal form of Banana streak virus (BSV) from banana plants. Up to 90% of plants regenerated from BSV-infected highly proliferating meristems were virus free following a 6-month treatment period with 10 microg/ml (a non-phytotoxic concentration) of either compounds.

Ultrastructural changes associated with cryopreservation of banana ( Musa spp.) highly proliferating meristems.

Cryopreservation has been shown to improve the frequency of virus elimination - specifically cucumber mosaic virus and banana streak virus - from banana ( Musa spp.) plants. To understand the mode of action of cryopreservation for the eradication of viral particles, we examined the ultrastructure of meristem tips at each step of the cryopreservation process.

Genetic variability of apple proliferation phytoplasmas as determined by PCR-RFLP and sequencing of a non-ribosomal fragment.

Apple proliferation phytoplasmas are considered as quarantine organisms in Europe and north America, but reliable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for their identification in routine diagnosis were missing, because they show genetic variability. Therefore, 100 apple proliferation phytoplasma isolates, derived from most of the European countries where apple proliferation disease has been detected, were analysed for their genetic variability. A detailed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of a 1.