Researchers at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador, have introduced a method for detecting the Babaco Mosaic Virus (BabMV) and its related viruses in babaco crops, a vital fruit for local agriculture. Utilizing RT-PCR and RT-qPCR, they crafted species- and genus-specific primers capable of identifying BabMV. This advancement is detailed in their study published in Letters in Applied Microbiology.
Dr María de Lourdes Torres, the study's corresponding author, emphasized the importance of these primers for the accurate detection of BabMV, aiming to improve babaco crop management in Ecuador. Babaco, a hybrid cultivar from the Caricaceae family, is a significant agricultural product in the Ecuadorian highlands, supporting numerous families.
The development of these primers is a response to the threat viruses pose to babaco crops, with BabMV being a major concern due to its impact on yield and plant longevity. The primers specifically target a region of the virus's coat protein, enabling the detection of BabMV in both symptomatic and asymptomatic plants. This method promises to aid in the effective cultivation of babaco, thereby supporting local agricultural economies.
Source: eurekalert.org