Virus Transmission Through Pollen

Abstract

Pollens from some of the virus-infected plants can serve as source of natural infection and transmission of the virus to other plants. When pollens consisting of viruses fall on stigma of female plants, they germinate and eventually facilitate the virus to infect the ovules of plants. Such viruses are called pollen-borne viruses. Virus-infected pollens may be carried by humans, wind or insects. Pollen-mediated virus transmission occurs vertically and/or horizontally. Members of the genera, Ilarvirus, Nepovirus, Sobemovirus, Idaeo-virus, Potyvirus and many viroids are transmitted through pollens. At least 45 viruses, belonging to 16 genera and five viroids, have been described as pollen-transmitted. The process of virus transmission through pollen is discussed in the chapter.