Objective:

To introduce students to the basic and applied concepts of plant viruses.

Theory:

Introduction, history and importance, morphology, composition and structure; classification of plant viruses, their replication, transmission and movement; symptomatology; serology and serological methods; ecology and epidemiology; management; study of specific virus diseases in Pakistan.

Practical:

Field visits and study of virus infected plants; methods of virus transmission (mechanical inoculation, grafting, insect vectors); virus detection through biological (indicator hosts and host range) and serological methods (ELISA, Immunodiffusion) and molecular methods (polymerase chain reaction)

Students will be able to understand the basic concept of plant virology. This course will also be helpful for the students in their higher studies.

Books:

1. Ahlawat, Y.S. 2010. Diagnosis of Plant Viruses and Allied Pathogens. Stadium Press (India) Pvt. Ltd.
2. Bashir, M. and S. Hassan. 1998. Diagnostic Methods for Plant Viruses. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan.
3. Bos, L. 1999. Plant Viruses: Unique and Intriguing Pathogens: A text book of Plant Virology. Backhuys Publishers.
4. Compendia of different crops. American Phytopathogical Society, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
5. Foster, G.D. and S.C. Taylor. 1998.  Plant Virology Protocols-From Virus Isolation to Transgenic Resistance. Humana Press, New Jersey.
6. Hadidi, A., R. K. Khetarpal and H. Koganezawa (Eds.). 1998. Plant Virus Disease Control. APS, USA.
7. Hull, R. 2009. Comparative Plant Virology. 2nd edition. Academic Press.
8. Loebenstein, G. and G. Thottappilly (Eds.). 2004. Virus and Virus-like Diseases of Major Crops in Developing Countries. Springer Press.
9. Matthews. R.E.F. 1991. Plant Virology. 3rd revised edition. Academic Press.
10. Thresh, M. (Ed.). 2006. Plant Virus Epidemiology. Academic press.
11. Verma H. N. 2003. Basics of Plant Virology. Oxford and IBH Publishing CO. PVT. LTD