Virosi del carciofo, possibilità di risanamento e vivaismo: lo stato dell’arte

Viruses infecting globe artichoke, sanitation and nursery production: state of the art in Italy A brief account is given of the current knowledge on viruses infecting globe artichoke that are the most detrimental to the Italian crops i.e. Artichoke latent virus (ArLV), Artichoke Italian latent virus (AILV), Artichoke mottled crinkle virus (AMCV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). The main properties as well as the eco-epidemiological aspects of these viruses are illustrated and the techniques used for their detection and identification are briefly outlined. Control measures capitalise on prompt diagnosis and availability of virus-free certified stocks for the new plants. A procedure to sanitize globe artichoke of the reflowering type while preserving its valuable early flowering trait must involve meristem tip colture and thermotherapy. ArLV, but not AILV, can be eliminated by meristem tip culture, while AILV can be eliminated only if explants regenerated from meristem tip culture are subjected to in vitro thermotherapy. An in vivo thermotherapy procedure, followed by meristem tip culture, is also promising as it is requires only one round of meristem tip culture. The availability of healthy and certified germplasm should decrease inoculum potential and, in the long term, have a beneficial effect on the overall level of infection in the areas dedicated to the cultivation of globe artichoke.