BBTV is a virus that affects the banana plants ability to produce leaves and petioles, this causes the plants 'bunched' look. Not only does it cause the plant to have a bunched look it also can distort the fruit, making it unsellable and cause the sterilisation of the plant, before eventually killing it (ISSG, BBTV. 2005). BBTV was first recognised in Fiji in 1889,since then it has spread worldwide and effects banana production. The virus can be spread from plant to plant by banana aphids, there are no resistant banana plant species. Controlling the spread of the virus is done through the destruction of affected plants, cessation of transportation of organic material from the affected area and pesticide use to eliminate the aphid species (Thomas and Dietzgen. 1991). Banana aphid can retain the virus for many weeks and because of this have this has the ability to cover large distances (DAAF, 2014). Scientists have cultured banana plant material from affected plants and have managed to produce material that does not contain the Bunchy-Top Virus (DAFF, 2014).
A healthy group of Banana plants.
Source:http://kccbigcountry.hubpages.com/hub/Banana-Tree, Accessed on the 29th of April 2014.
Within Australia BBTV is currently present in SE Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Do to strict quarantine measures within Australia concerning the transportation of possible infected organic materials it has not spread to other areas on Australia yet (DAFF, 2014).
The Affects of BBTV.
Source: en.wikipedia.com, accessed on the 29th of April 2014.
Because of it's ability to spread rather easily and the lack of progress in finding a 'cure' for this virus, the Banana Bunchy-Top Virus has become one of the world's most devastating plant viruses. In Australia BBTV is the focus of a 3 year project funded by the Australia Banana Growers Council, the Banana Industry Advisory Committee and Horticulture Australia Limited to work towards its eradication (DAFF, 2014). But in other parts of the world there has been little effort made to help find a permanent solution to this virus.
Banana Virus quarantine sign in Hawaii.
Source: http://great-hikes.com/blog/banana-virus/, accessed on the 29th of April 2014.
References:
Bunchy Top. (2014). Available at: http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/health-pests-diseases/a-z-significant/bunchy-top. (Accessed 29th of April 2014).
Ecology of Banana Bunchy-Top Virus (BBTV) (2005). Available at: http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=141. (Accessed 29th April 2014.)
Thomas, J, E,. and Dietzgen, R.G. (1991). Purification, characterisation and serological detection of virus-like particles associated with banana bunchy-top disease in Australia. Journal of General Virology 72: 217-224. University of Hawaii at Manoa.
How very interesting! I assume that it’s more the aphid that’s the invasive, with the virus just hitching a ride and causing the damage as it goes? Does this virus infect other insect species or just aphids? Do you know of any successful cases of designing a plant vaccine?
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