Elimination of Lily Symptomless Virus by In Vitro Scaling and Reinfection Rates under Various Culture Conditions in Korean Native Lilies

The lily symptomless virus (LSV) is the most common virus in Korean native lilies and causes various types of damage to overall plant growth. This study was carried out to investigate the elimination rate of the LSV by the in vitro scale culture (scaling) method in Korean native lilies and to test reinfection rates of the LSV under several field culture conditions of bulb production. Four Korean native lilies (Lilium dauricum, L. distichum, L. lancifolium, and L. maximowitzii) were used and their scales were cultured in vitro for micro-scale formation. The micro-scales were subcultured repeatedly using MS culture medium supplemented with 30 or 90 g.L-1 sucrose. The culture conditions were 24 mu mol.m(-2).s(-1) PPFD with 16 hour daylength using fluorescent lamps and maintained at 22 +/- 2 degrees C. The virus-free bulblets were grown for one to three years in the greenhouse and transplanted to the field in October or March. Virus infection rates were investigated by direct tissue blotting immunobinding assays and measurement of chlorophyll and protein contents. Virus-free plants could be obtained from the 5th subculture of micro-scales in L. lancifolium and L. maximowitzii or from primary culture in L. dauricum and L. distichum. LSV-free plants were reinfected during bulb production in the field. Reinfection rates were higher at older bulb ages and under higher planting density. The plants planted in October and at inland Gyeongsan had higher infection rates than those planted in March and at coastal area Pohang. The reinfection rate of L. maximowitzii was higher than those of L. dauricum and L. lancifolium. The LSV-infected plants had lower chlorophyll contents and unchanged protein contents compared to virus-free plants.