ISHS Acta Horticulturae 234: VII International Symposium on Virus Diseases of Ornamental Plants
VIRUS DISEASES IN THE GENT REGION |
| Authors: | W. Welvaert, G. Samyn |
| Abstract:
The region around Gent is a worldwide known old centre of horticulture. Vegetative propagation is generally used in the culture of ornamentals. The continuous search for new characteristics during decennia resulted for most cultivars in a lot of genetically very heterogeneous plants, which can no more be propagated by seed. If some old cultivars disappeared because they were out of fashion or not paying, others stayed in culture for centuries. However, there is a tendency in horticulture to reduce the number of commercialized cultivars, and to use masspropagation. In such situation, virusproblems have to be considered as an essential danger. It is advisable that the virus research tries to elaborate the present viruses and sensitive cultivars for the different cultures. This was done during almost 20 years in Gent. Different important ornamentals were stated virusfree, such as Azalea, most genera of the Araceae and Bromeliaceae. Other commercial important ornamentals like the tuberous multiflora Begonia, Dieffenbachia spp., Pelargonium, Hydrangea, Orchids and Cacti are very easily infected by a number of different viruses, and Hydrangea also by a mycoplasm. Virusproblems in glasshouses can relatively easily be kept under control by the use of virustested plant material, sufficient hygienic measures and using systemic insecticides. But growing virusfree plants in an open field under a high infection pressure is very difficult. A good example of such situation is the culture of the tuberous multiflora Begonia. It is now possible to consider for Begonia a virusfree outdoor culture using 'in vitro' culture and a rapid virusindexation scheme with ELISA. We can assume that the role of the plant virologist is essential for the quality of the plant production in a horticultural centre. The present developments in virus research, together with a good cooperation with the practice is the best guarantee for a real improvement of the quality of the plant production. | |
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