This study aims to establish an improved protocol for virus elimination in garlic for prospective mass production of quality planting materials. In the long term, the protocol to be produced in this study is expected to benefit garlic farmers as cleaner planting materials are expected to yield more. The protocol is also of use in ensuring the integrity of the in-vitro gene bank of garlic genetic resources.

Currently, there is a protocol for garlic virus elimination being implemented at MMSU utilizing thermotherapy, which dates back to 2006 (Pascua et al.). The proponents have experienced performing the said protocol. The reported efficiency of the protocol in eliminating OYDV and LYSV is at 53% (Pascua et al., 2006). Other viruses have not been confirmed to be removed through this protocol. The recent study by Benke et al. (2023) combines thermotherapy and chemotherapy using
ribavirin, albeit with different procedure for thermotherapy than what is practiced in MMSU. In Benke et al.’s (2023) paper, they reported heat-treating the garlic cloves at 37 °C in a heat chamber for 30 days. At MMSU, the cloves are heat-treated at 50 °C in a water bath for two hours. This study will align the principles of Benke et al.’s study with the available equipment in MMSU, while also testing out a cheaper chemotherapy agent, salicylic acid. The proponents’ aim is to maximize virus elimination and survivability of shoot meristem-derived in-vitro garlic plantlets while moderating costs.

Product- 1 protocol on elimination of garlic viruses using chemotherapy and thermotherapy
Publication- at least 1 journal publication
Patent
Policy-
People Services- farmers, stakeholders, researchers, at least 1 BS student
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