The Passion fruit woodiness virus (PWV) is the most important virus affecting passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg.) crops in Brazil. The main purpose of this work was to select mild strains of PWV and to evaluate their protective effect against a severe strain of the virus. Three mild strains were selected from outstanding plants found in orchards severely affected by the virus (F-101, F-102 and F-103) and three others were obtained from blisters formed in passion fruit vine leaves showing mosaic (F-99, F-144 and F-145). The protective effect of the mild strains was evaluated for vines under greenhouse and field conditions. Plants pre-immunized with mild strains F-101, F-102 and F-144, in a greenhouse, had partial protection against the... |