Integrated management of Cymbidium mosaic disease in commercial Dendrobium orchids using root endophytic fungi Piriformospora indica

Abstract

Commercial orchid industry is a lucrative business worldwide. New varieties and hybrids are being developed hastily in a race to keep up with the ever-growing demand for novelty and quality of flowers. The orchid exports contribute a lion’s share of the worldwide cutflower and plant export industry. Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) is a major threat to the orchid industry as it is mechanically transmissible and quarantined in many countries. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the novel root endophyte Piriformospora indica (syn. Serendipita indica) when integrated with commonly used antiviral chemicals and defense inducing compounds to effectively control CymMV in commercially cultivated Dendrobium orchids. The effectiveness of each treatment was assessed by observing the reduction of CymMV titer using DAC-ELISA. Plants treated with Virus Ex @1.0 ml L⁻¹foliar (antiviral formulation) and combination treatment with P. indica root inoculation and Virus Ex −1 ml L⁻¹foliar spray showed significantly lower viral titer than other treatments. This suggests that P. indica can be used as an effective and easy treatment method that can be adopted by farmers and orchid growers in combination with regular antiviral formulations to control of CymMV.

Keywords:

• Dendrobium orchids
• Cymbidium mosaic virus
• Fungal root endophyte
• Piriformospora indica

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful towards orchid growers and importers of Kerala for their wholehearted support and providing infrastructure for the study. The research grant was provided by Kerala Agricultural University and laboratory facilities by ARCPDD, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Kerala Agricultural University;

Notes on contributors

Safeer M M

Safeer M M working as Assistant Professor in Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram dist., Kerala, India. He completed master’s degree in Plant Pathology in Kerala Agricultural University. He has a working experience of two years as Agricultural officer in the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Kerala. The author is engaged in research, extension and teaching activity since the year 2021 in Kerala Agricultural University. The work on Cymbidium mosaic virus was done as a part of his Ph. D. research in Plant pathology, College of Agriculture Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University.

Susha, S. Thara

Susha, S. Thara working as Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology) in Kerala Agricultural University is the recipient of Young Scientist Award from Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment. Engaged in extension and research work in Agriculture since the year 2000. Guided many Post graduate and Ph. D Scholars and published about 25 research papers in Plant Pathology.