In commercial garlic fields, plants naturally infected by viruses of the genera Allexivirus, Carlavirus and Potyvirus are commonly observed. Aerial bulbils may be an alternative for the propagation of virus-free garlic plants. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the rate of virus perpetuation from infected plants to aerial bulbils. Aerial bulbils obtained from infected plants were analyzed by RT-PCR using universal primers for the genera Allexivirus, Carlavirus and Potyvirus. Results showed that the perpetuation of different viruses from the bulb to aerial bulbils is high, impairing the direct use of aerial bulbils from virus-infected matrix plants. This methodology should use solely virus-free plants.
allexivirus; carlavirus; potyvirus; propagation
