IMPACT OF CYMBIDIUM MOSAIC VIRUS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF DENDROBIUM JAQ-HAWAII CV. UNIWAI PEARL

Among important orchid viruses, Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) is the most wide-spread one. However, there is no quantitative impact of the virus reported. The growth and flower yield of Dendrobium Jaq-Hawaii cv. Uniwai Pearl infected with two strains of CymMV were thus evaluated. The severe strain showed the potential growth reduction of approximately 29%. Its reduction effects on flower yield were approximately 9% on the number of spray produced, 11% on the inflorescent length, 18% on the number of floret/inflorescent and 10% on the vase-life. From the degree of potential damage caused by the virus, a published chemotherapy method for virus eradiation must be incorporated in micropropagation process.