Virus ecology & diversity
Plant diseases caused by viruses undergo changes due to the introduction of new viruses or shifts in existing virus populations, driven by climatic factors and agronomic interventions. The description of viruses and the composition of virus populations in the agricultural environment is key to risk assessment and management.
The viruses are maintained in our collection of characterized “authenticated” plant virus isolates and made available to serve as references for comparative analyses, diagnostic tests and infection studies.
Research project Viruses of Cassava
Virus resistance
Natural virus resistance in plants is the most durable strategy against virus diseases but often the basis of genetic resistance in domesticated crops is narrow. Identification of virus resistance in plant germplasm is a major effort and requires a strong collaboration with breeders and laboratories of international agricultural research institutes.
Research project Natural resistance in cassava against cassava brown streak viruses