Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Since the discovery of the Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd, Diener 1971), researchers all over the globe have investigated the unique molecular and epidemiological features of viroids. Viroids are small, non-protein encoding, single-stranded RNAs that replicate autonomously in plants. They are classified into two families, the Avsunviroidae and the Pospiviroidae, which is most prevalent in Europe. Trending topics in viroid research during the past decades were: viroid replication, molecular and biochemical features of viroids, RNA-silencing, host range and transmission mechanisms. Less investigated topics were those related to the interaction with insects and weeds, and the potential occurrence of transencapsidation by plant viruses. This PhD therefore aimed to elucidate several aspects of the pathogen-vector-host triangle. A first goal was to investigate the role of weeds as potential reservoirs for pospiviroids. Secondly, the importance of insects in the pospiviroid spread was studied during several transmission experiments. Finally, the transmission pathway of “transencapsidation” in the luteovirus Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) was investigated for two pospiviroid species.
Author: Noémi Van Bogaert
Language: English
Topic: Plant Virus Research Studies
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2560222810