Publications by authors named "Raj Vansia"
Article Synopsis
- Commercial orchards often have mixed species that can be affected by various viruses, with pollen being a significant pathway for virus transmission.
- Metagenomics approaches were used to analyze pollen and bee samples during the blooming season of apricot, cherry, peach, and apple trees, resulting in the detection of 21 unique viruses, including notable ones like prune dwarf virus and prunus necrotic ringspot virus.
- The study revealed a higher complexity of viruses in pollen samples compared to vegetative tissues, highlighting the importance of monitoring pollination ecosystems for better understanding of viral diversity.
Article Synopsis
- Healthy agroecosystems rely on complex interactions between species, where flowers serve as key points for the transmission of pathogens, particularly viruses affecting plants and bees.
- A study using honey bee pollination services in blueberry farms in British Columbia and Ontario identified a variety of plant and bee-infecting viruses, with significant differences in viral presence between the two locations.
- While the monitoring method offers valuable insights into pathogen diversity and ecosystem health, it faces challenges such as limited sampling periods, potential bias towards certain viruses, and the diverse nature of plant material collected by bees.
