Elisa based re-indexing of peach cv. July Elberta: An alternative strategy for producing virus indexed peach plants

Abstract

The most commonly preferred strategy for management of viruses in temperate fruit plants is the use of certified virus-tested planting material. Though biotechnological approaches like meristem culture and heat therapy can be used to eliminate the viruses from propagative material of for the production of virus free plants, these techniques have limited use as they are expensive and need a lot of expertise. These critical issues have led to the use of ELISA based re-indexing of temperate fruit plants emerging as a key alternate strategy for the production of virus indexed plants. Studies conducted over a period of four years between 2015-2018 have successfully demonstrated the usefulness of DAS- ELISA in the production of prunus necrotic ring spot virus (PNRSV) indexed plants of peach cv. July Elberta by periodical re-indexing conducted by drawing samples round the year.