Survey and detection of Banana bunchy top virus in Java

Abstract

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is one of the most important virus causing disease on banana plantation. Infection of BBTV is indicated by unique symptoms involving yellowing and curling of leaf margin, and stunting of plant. Research was conducted to determine the distribution of banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) in West Java (Bogor and Sukabumi), Central Java (Pati and Magelang), and East Java (Malang and Banyuwangi) based on symptom variations and disease severity. Field samples was then confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection method using four specific primers, each amplified different region of BBTV genome, i.e CP1/2 which amplified coat protein gene in DNA S, mRep1/2, BBT1/2, and BBTV-F/-R which amplified replication gene in DNA R in different region. Symptoms and incidence of BBTD was varied across banana plantation in Java. The most common symptoms observed in the field includes chlorotic, green mosaic, narrow, and upright appearance of the leaves, and stunting of the plant. Incidence of BBTV was found more severe in West Java than those in Central Java and East Java. All primers used in the detection method was successfully amplified the target DNA fragment. DNA R primers were more sensitive than DNA S primers and the better amplification result was achieved using BBT1/2 and BBTVR-F/-R primers.