Plant Virus and Viroid Diseases in the Tropics, 2013 Volume 1: Introduction of Plant Viruses and Sub-Viral Agents, Classification, Assessment of Loss, Transmission and Diagnosis

Plant virus and sub-viral pathogens pose severe constraints to the production of wide range of economically important crops worldwide.  The crops raised both through true seed and vegetative propagated materials are affected with number of virus and virus-like diseases. The virus may enter into plants through seed planting materials or by vectors.  Once the virus is in the field, it multiplies and spreads following definite patterns depending upon the nature of the vector and agro-meteorological conditions.  Disease free crops and plants are great economic and social importance in feeding the world's population. Detection of virus and sub-viral agents at initial stages of infection is critical to reduce economic losses.  For nearly two decades, ELISA and its variants played a major role in large scale virus testing and also in the production of virus-free planting materials.

CHAPTER I.- Introduction to plant virus and viroid diseases in tropics.- CHAPTER II.- Viruses and sub-viral agents.- CHAPTER III.- Impact of Virus and Viroid diseases on crop yields.- CHAPTER IV.- Transmission of Plant Viruses and Viroids.- CHAPTER V.- Diagnosis and Detection of Virus and Viroid diseases.