Elimination of Chhirkey and Foorkey Viruses from Meristem Culture of large Cardamom (Amomum Subulatum Roxb.)

Abstract

Large cardamom is one of the important cash crops in the mid hills of Nepal. Amomum subulatum has 0.91 – 1.22m leafy stem. The leaves are 0.30m-0.61m ×0.08-0.10m in size. They are green and glabrous on both surfaces. Of many diseases and pests, two viral diseases namely ‘Foorkey’ and ‘Chhirkey’ are the main problems for large cardamom cultivation. Production has been declining due to these diseases. Viruses can be eliminated either by thermo therapy or meristem culture or both. Heat therapy has been proved to be a highly successful method for inactivation or elimination of viruses from perennial crops in order to obtain virus- free stock material. The aim of the study is detection of ‘Foorkey’ and ‘chhirkey’ virus with PRSV antibody by Double Antibody Sandwich – Enzyme Linked Immunsorbent Assay (DAS- ELISA), Regenerate shoots from meristems of two cultivars Ramsahi and Golsahi, Multipy virus free shoots of cultivars Golsahi and Dambarsahi by tissue culture.

Both Chhirkey and Foorkey viruses were tested with DAS ELISA using antibodies of papaya ring spot virus (PRSV) obtained. Than applied in tissue culture. Maximum shoot growth and root number were observed on MS +0.1 mg/l BA +0.1 mg/l NAA in both liquid and solid media. The rooted planted of Golsahi and Dambarsahi were successfully acclimatized in the screen house is strongly recommended that specific antibodies of Chhirkey and Foorkey should be prepared for indexing of these viruses.