Genetic Resistance to Alomae-Bobone Virus Complex, the Lethal Disease of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta (L.) Schott)

Abstract

Alomae-Bobone Virus Complex (ABVC) ,remains the most destructive and the most serious disease of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) in the Solomon Islands, and its spread could be a major threat to taro cultivation in the South Pacific region, especially for countries where taro is a major export crop. To create resistant varieties, a recurrent selection method was chosen and 350 genetic recombinations were performed. The offspring generation was tested for resistance. The performance and reaction of the genotypes to the lethal viral disease was observed during a period covering ten months. The genotypes showed great differences in resistance/susceptibility. Plants with higher levels of resistance were selected for further recombinations. The selected materials (genotypes with higher levels of field resistance) were predominantly those where one of the grandparents was wild taro from areas affected by ABVC.