ABSTRACT
Plant viruses are significant constraints in horticultural crops in India. Vegetables, fruits, and ornamental crops are known to be affected by several viruses in India. Identification of viruses based on visual observation of symptoms alone is not reliable. Molecular diagnostic kits based on the immunological and nucleic acids properties of viral protein and genome are commercially available for the detection of plant viruses in Europe and 230the USA. In India, the plant virus diagnostic kits are generally imported, and they are highly expensive. Of late, studies conducted in many Plant Virology laboratories in India on the viral genomics have facilitated developing molecular assays for several plant viruses occurring in horticultural crops in India. Engineered antigens and antibodies and the key reagents for immunodiagnosis of viruses have prepared, and diagnostic kit prototypes have been developed for several viruses infecting horticultural crops. For rapid and on-site detection, lateral flow assay (LFA) was developed for the selected viruses. Single, duplex, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods have been developed for viruses affecting many important vegetables. The diagnostic reagents and procedures developed are suitable for up-scaling and commercial applications.
