A Scientist's View of Experences Gained from the USDA FAS-Taiwan COA Joint Research Program: Accomplishments and Impact on Management of Viral Diseases of Ornamental Plants

Abstract

In 1989, a three-year collaboration project on "Rapid methods for diagnosing ornamental plant viruses and the control measures" among National Chung-Hsing University (NCHU), Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and the Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit (FNPRU, formerly Floral and Nursery Crops Laboratory) of the U.S. National Arboretum of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was initiated through the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS)- Taiwan Council of Agriculture (COA Cooperative Research Program. Subsequently, three additional projects were awarded to Feng-Shan Tropical Horticultural Research Institute, NCHU, TARI, Taichung District Agricultural Improvement Station and Taiwan Seed Propagation Station allowing their investigators to collaborate with scientists at FNPRU. The joint studies are highly productive and have published in various international journals. A novel method for the detection of viruses and phytoplasma in infected plants was developed. Several previously undescribed new viruses infecting ornamental plants were discovered and characterized. A method for efficient production of antigens for immunization was developed and specific rabbit antisera and mouse monoclonal antibodies were produced. Results from USDA FAS-Taiwan COA joint studies have enormous impact on sound management of viral diseases in floral crops as well as the advancement of plant virology.