Molecular Biology of Strawberry Vein Banding Caulimovirus

SVBV Strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV), a member of Caulimoviridae, has a double-stranded DNA genome 7.9 kilobase pairs in size, and a spherical particle approximaltely 45 nanometers in diameter. SVBV is transmitted by aphids, as well as by dodder and grafting. It is not sap-transmissible. An important means of virus spread is through the propagation of infected plant materials. The use of certified virus- free plants for generating strawberry seedlings has minimized economic losses caused by SVBV and other strawberry infecting viruses. After demonstrating the infectivity of genomic clone (pSVBV-E3) a new construct using a binary vector was prepared to be used in agroinoculation. This means of inoculation paved the road to confirm many biological characteristics and furthermore expanding host range studies. Sequence data was used to design a sensitive protocol for diagnosis of virus infection through PCR.