Incidencia y distribución de cactus virus x y schlumbergera virus x en plantaciones de pitahaya (hylocereus sp.) en la provincia de Morona Santiago

Abstract

Several phytosanitary problems have been identified in the pitahaya crop affecting production such as the presence of Cactus virus X and Schlumbergera virus X in pitahaya (Hylocereus sp.) crops. This represents a possible limitation for the production and sustainability of crops. Therefore, this investigation aimed to determine the frequency and distribution of these viruses in Morona Santiago province. Sampling and collecting of plant material (cladodes) were carried out in 20 farms in Palora canton. Ten cladodes with symptoms and ten without symptoms were collected. Subsequently, viral RNA was extracted, complementary DNA was synthesized using the FastGene Scriptase II Cdna Kit, PCR was carried out with specific primers for Cactus virus X and Schlumbergera virus X using the FastGene TAQ 2X ReadyMix PCR Kit, electrophoresis was performed, the sequencing process was carried out in the company MACROGEN COREA and, finally, a molecular analysis was performed using the Neighbor-Joining method at nucleotide level implemented in MEGAX. The results obtained permitted to evaluate the incidence and severity of the viruses, as well as their distribution in the different farms. An average incidence of 24% of virus infection and an average severity of 15% was recorded in all farms. In terms of distribution, it was observed that nine of the ten farms evaluated in this canton showed the presence of Schlumbergera virus X, and the farm number nine (Easwealth farm) was the only exception. However, none of them showed the presence of Cactus virus X.