A5087340417- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Plant Disease Resistance and Genetics
- Sugarcane Cultivation and Processing
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Banana Cultivation and Research
- Plant tissue culture and regeneration
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Cassava research and cyanide
- Irrigation Practices and Water Management
- Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Silicon Effects in Agriculture
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas
2021-2024
Queensland University of Technology
2010-2023
Sugar Research Australia (Australia)
2002-2003
Banana (Musa spp.) is a staple food for more than 400 million people. Over 40% of world production and virtually all the export trade based on Cavendish banana. However, banana under threat from virulent fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) which no acceptable resistant replacement has been identified. Here we report identification transgenic with resistance to TR4. In our 3-year field trial, two lines Cavendish, one transformed RGA2, gene isolated TR4-resistant...
Vitamin A deficiency remains one of the world's major public health problems despite food fortification and supplements strategies. Biofortification staple crops with enhanced levels pro-vitamin (PVA) offers a sustainable alternative strategy to both supplementation. As proof concept, PVA-biofortified transgenic Cavendish bananas were generated field trialed in Australia aim achieving target level 20 μg/g dry weight (dw) β-carotene equivalent (β-CE) fruit. Expression Fe'i banana-derived...
Banana plants are hosts to a large number of streak virus (BSV) species. However, diagnostic methods for BSV inadequate because the considerable genetic and serological diversity among isolates presence integrated sequences in some banana cultivars which leads false positives. In this study, sequence-nonspecific, rolling-circle amplification (RCA) technique was developed shown overcome these limitations detection subsequent characterization infecting banana. This discriminate between...
Banana leaf streak disease, caused by several species of banana virus (BSV), is widespread in East Africa. We surveyed for this disease Uganda and Kenya, used rolling-circle amplification to detect the presence BSV banana. Six distinct badnavirus sequences, three from were amplified which only partial sequences previously available. The complete genomes sequenced characterised. size organisation all six was characteristic other badnaviruses, including conserved functional domains present...
The genus Badnavirus is characterized by members that are genetically and serologically heterogeneous which presents challenges for their detection characterization. presence of integrated badnavirus-like sequences in some host species further complicates using PCR-based protocols. To address these challenges, we have assessed optimized various RCA protocols including random-primed (RP-RCA), primer-spiked (primer-spiked RP-RCA), directed (D-RCA) specific-primed (SP-RCA). Using Dioscorea...
We have characterized the complete genome of a novel circular double-stranded DNA virus, tentatively named Dioscorea nummularia-associated virus (DNUaV), infecting nummularia originating from Samoa. The DNUaV comprised 8139 bp and contained four putative open reading frames (ORFs). ORFs 1 2 had no identifiable conserved domains, while ORF 3 motifs typical viruses within family Caulimoviridae including coat protein, movement aspartic protease, reverse transcriptase ribonuclease H. A...
Taro ( Colocasia esculenta ) and tannia Xanthosoma sp.) are important root crops cultivated mainly by small‐scale farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa the South Pacific. Viruses known to be one of most constraints production, with infections resulting severe yield reduction. In 2014 2015, surveys were conducted Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania Uganda determine identity viruses infecting taro East Africa. Screening 392 samples collected from region using degenerate badnavirus primers revealed an incidence...
Genetic modification is one possible strategy to generate bananas (Musa spp.) with resistance the soil-borne pathogen causing Fusarium wilt. The availability of banana root-specific promoters target transgene expression sites infection would be beneficial. We have assessed 18 promoter sequences derived from a range plant species for their profiles in tissues identify those activity. Promoter were isolated and fused β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene assess levels tissue specificity both model...
Abstract Yam is an important food staple in many Pacific Island countries, but its production limited by several factors including virus infection. The presence of viruses also hinders the exploitation crop restricting international dissemination yam germplasm due to quarantine concerns. In this study, a total 224 accessions present collection at SPC‐CePaCT, Fiji, were tested for badnaviruses using combination rolling circle amplification (RCA) and sequencing. Of these, 35 positive either...
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) and tannia (Xanthosoma sp.) plants growing in 25 districts across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania Uganda were surveyed for four RNA viruses. Leaf samples from 392 tested cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), dasheen (DsMV), taro vein chlorosis (TaVCV) Colocasia bobone disease-associated (CBDaV) by RT-PCR. No positive TaVCV or CBDaV, while CMV was only detected three with symptoms Uganda. DsMV 40 samples, including 36 out of 171 one 94 41 Tanzania, none the 86 Kenya any The...
Abstract: Fiji leaf gall (FLG) caused by Sugarcane disease virus (SCFDV) is transmitted the planthopper Perkinsiella saccharicida . FLG managed through identification and exploitation of plant resistance. The glasshouse‐based resistance screening produced inconsistent transmission results factors responsible for that are not known. A series glasshouse trials conducted over a 2‐year period was compared to identify erratic results. SCFDV greater when acquired vector from cultivar susceptible...
Using high-throughput sequencing, we identified a novel carlavirus sequence in 28-year-old 'Kotsifali' grapevine sample collected Heraklion (Crete, Greece). RT-PCR and 5'/3' RACE together with Sanger the complete genome of 8299 nt was confirmed found to contain five open reading frames (ORFs) but lack an ORF6, which is present some members genus Carlavirus. The most similar those two carlaviruses infecting caper, taking into account ICTV nomenclature, propose name "grapevine 1" for this new virus.