Biological characterization, preservation and ultrastructural studies of Andean strain of potato virus S

Abstract

Two isolates of potato virus S belonging to Andean strain group were isolated from the indigenous potato germplasm collection by mechanical passage through Chenopodium species. In systematically infected C. quinoa leaves, virions were often found associated with the chloroplast envelope of infected cells which showed the proliferation of the endoplasmic reticulum, presence of osmiophilic globules, cytoplasmic invagination of the chloroplasts, vacuolation in the cytoplasm and disruption of tonoplast. Infectivity of the virus was maintained even up to 2 years when infected leaves were preserved in 20 to 40% sucrose solution followed by storage at -20℃. The occurrence of PVSA in India, ultrastructural changes in PVSA infected C. quinoa and preservation of the virus in infective state for over two years in sucrose solution are reported.