Satellites are subviral molecules which include satellite viruses and satellite nucleic acids that infect plants and are also natural inhibitors of crop-damaging viruses by interfering with the crucial functions of virus infection cycles. The ability of satellites as viral biocontrol agents has been examined with the aim of knowing their genome, origin, evolution, replication mechanisms, biological impacts, and their capacity to attenuate viral symptoms on host plants by reducing concentration of helper virus. Satellites have the potential to reduce the use of agrochemicals and prevalence of plant viral infections because of their high in vivo stability, high expression level and simplicity of manipulation. Thus, the potential of satellite viruses as biocontrol agents in reducing the helper virus-induced symptoms is a promising strategy for plant viral disease management.
Ammu, Asok A.*
Dept. of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala (695 522), India
Krishnapriya, P.J.
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