Integrated management of Cymbidium mosaic disease in commercial Dendrobium orchids using root endophytic fungi Piriformospora indica

Commercial orchid industry is a lucrative business worldwide. New varieties and hybrids are being developed hastily in a race to keep up with the ever-growing demand for novelty and quality of flowers. The orchid exports contribute a lion's share of the worldwide cutflower and plant export industry. Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) is a major threat to the orchid industry as it is mechanically transmissible and quarantined in many countries. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the novel root endophyte Piriformospora indica (syn. Serendipita indica) when integrated with commonly used antiviral chemicals and defense inducing compounds to effectively control CymMV in commercially cultivated Dendrobium orchids. The effectiveness of each treatment was assessed by observing the reduction of CymMV titer using DAC-ELISA. Plants treated with Virus Ex @1.0 ml L(-1)foliar (antiviral formulation) and combination treatment with P. indica root inoculation and Virus Ex -1 ml L(-1)foliar spray showed significantly lower viral titer than other treatments. This suggests that P. indica can be used as an effective and easy treatment method that can be adopted by farmers and orchid growers in combination with regular antiviral formulations to control of CymMV.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the novel root endophyte Piriformospora indica in controlling Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) in commercially cultivated Dendrobium orchids when integrated with commonly used antiviral chemicals and defense inducing compounds. The results suggest that P. indica can be used as an effective and easy treatment method, in combination with regular antiviral formulations, to control CymMV.