Estandarización de un método de detección molecular del Cucumber mosaic virus (cmv) en banano ecuatoriano

Abstract

Several pests and diseases affect banana crop in Ecuador and Cucumber mosaic virus (cmv) is one of the most important pathogens. The aim of this research was to standardize a new molecular approach to achieve a sensitive and highly specific detection of cmv in Ecuadorian bananas. Specific primers were designed from the sequence encoding for the virus capsid protein. PC-F1, PC-RD1 and K-F primers, obtained from cDNA replicated from RNA of infected banana, allowed accurate virus detection by Reverse transcription and Hemi-nested PCR. Virus detection was possible even in asymptomatic plants, providing a technology with potential use for the Ecuadorian banana producers.