CONCEPT PAPER FOR A MEGA PROJECT IN PLANT VIROLOGY
Title: Establishment of a high quality plant virology laboratory in the Department of Plant
Pathology
Introduction
During the last few years epidemics of plant viral diseases have been witnessed which cause
colossal losses resulting into substantial economic losses. Even a year failure of an important
resurgence of CLCuV epidemics were observed in several commercial varieties grown at
Burewala, Okara, Vehari etc. Banana bunchy top, leaf curl of chillies, mosaic and leaf roll of
potato, vein clearing and yellow vein mosaic in Okra, moonbeam and citrus viruses are some of
the examples which need special attention of plant pathologists. These diseases not only affect the
economy and prosperity of Pakistan but also result in huge expenditure of foreign exchange
on the import of raw cotton and millions of tons of additional edible oil. Indirectly they curtail
several economic activities in local industry of agriculture, manufacturing trade and commerce.
Justification
The self-sufficiency in food and its provision at economic rates can only be achieved if huge
losses in crop production are averted. Successful crop production is linked with effective crop
Protection from pests and diseases. Epidemics of viruses have induced significant yield losses in
the past and these continue to be increasing in future. If these plant viruses are timely identified
then proper management strategies can be adopted because a quick and reliable
detection/identification is a pre-requisite for appropriate control measure. During the last decade,
revolutionary changes have taken place in plant molecular, biological and diagnostic
techniques having many advantages over traditional methods. Plant virology lab of this
department has only limited facilities to diagnose plant viruses and needs to be upgraded.
Expected Output
Up gradation of research facilities at the plant virology lab will enhance the working capabilities
of the virology research group by identification and characterization of viruses and thus the losses
in field crops fruits and vegetables induced due to virus diseases will be minimized. Using modern
techniques of molecular biology will help to precisely monitor latent viruses. The research
facilities can help in exhaustive studies of plant viruses and utilization of the available resources
in an efficient manner will develop package of technologies for integrated disease management a
strategy particularly useful for plant viruses.
Specific Object
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Providing quick and reliable diagnostic facilities for plant virus diseases.
Development high quality manpower at post-graduate level.
Identification of resistant sources against major viruses and their vectors and their
diagnosis based on serological and molecular tests.
Monitoring of potentially destructive latent plant viruses through nucleic acid analysis
methods.
Exploitation of natural products in plant health management
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