Project Number: 1230-22000-022-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 31, 2002
End Date: Jul 30, 2007

Objective:
To develop sensitive, reliable, detection methods for viruses infecting specific ornamental crops. Identification and characterization of these viruses, and determination of the environmental factors that affect virus titer and detectability.

Approach:
Isolate and perform basic characterization of the casual viruses. Develop reagents, sampling procedures and protocols for the sensitive and reliable detection of the viruses. Examine the influence of environmental conditions (lighting, daylength, and temperature) on virus titer and distribution within the ornamental host plant.