Genebank tools for efficient management of viral infections in tropical clonal crops

Abstract Plant viruses cause considerable damage in agriculture through high losses in yield or productivity, and quality of crops. Unfortunately, there are few direct control mechanisms in place for viruses and very few protocols for eliminating them due to the wide diversity of viruses. Some viruses of clonal crops are easily removed through meristem culture, but many others are more intricately associated with the meristematic cells or localized in the plant genome where they pose significant risks to plant health and productivity, thus require eradication. Viruses such as Yam Mosaic Virus (YMV) and Yam Mild Mosaic Virus (YMMV) damage the economic and food security benefits provided by the tropical clonal crops. This report presents an overview of the viral challenges of tropical clonal crops. It also provides information on the state of current knowledge of various sanitation options available against viruses affecting the clonal crops. This report provides a reference to genebanks for early accurate detection and elimination of viruses among in vitro -grown tropical plants which, is a major step towards the improvement of the quality of clonal germplasm stored or distributed by the concerned genebanks. The information brought to light in this report could lead to technical refinement of the existing procedures or creation of new protocols for virus-infected germplasm.