Elimination of Potyvirus and Carlavirus from Infected shallot bulbs

Viral diseases on shallot in Indonesia has been reported and have important role in yield loss. Viral diseases are easily transmitted via infected bulbs in generations and in regions. Cultivation of virus-free bulbs is considered the most effective method of controlling viral diseases, so the production of virus-free bulb are important and necessary. Elimination of viruses on local cultivars was achieved using shoot tip culture combined with thermotherapy. In this research, the method for elimination of Potyvirus and Carlavirus from shallot bulbs was developed using combination of thermotherapy (30 °C, 37 °C, in homogenous and heterogenous condition) with different size of explant shoot tip culture (1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm). The result showed that virus-free plantlets could be derived from 1 mm-explant. Treatment combination of 2 mm-explant with homogenous temperture 37 °C was also able to eliminate virus.