Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Plant virus identification

Project ID:
CS1/1982/002
Collaborating Countries:
Thailand
Project Locations
Commissioned Organisation:
Australian National University, Australia
Project Leader
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Department of Agriculture, Thailand
Project Budget:
$162,141
Project Duration:
01/02/1983 - 31/01/1986
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Gabrielle Persley
Project Background and Objectives

Way of minimising the major crop losses that viruses cause must depend on virus identification as a basic requirement. However, it is more difficult to identify viruses than most other plant pathogens. The Virus Ecology Research Group of the Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, has been assembling a data base on viruses of legumes to test the use of the computer-based DELTA system for storing and manipulating taxonomic descriptions. CSIRO's Division of Entomology devised and maintains the DELTA system, which has proved successful for data on grasses, insects, etc. The virus data-base project has become know as the VIDE (Virus Identification Data Exchange) project. At present, the base contains data for 76 viruses infecting legumes.
Data stored in this way may be translated automatically into other formats and languages, used to generate descriptions and printed or polyclave keys and used to prepare classifications. The system readily adds or subtracts data, and automatic typesetting and microfiche-generating facilities permit regular production of books and new editions of descriptions and keys.
This project will allow the expansion of the VIDE data base and to promote its use, particularly in tropical countries. It is concentrated initially on virus diseases of legumes, especially of tropical and subtropical species. Work on the data base will first obtain and incorporate data on the remaining 70 or so known viruses of legumes not so far included. These, together with other useful information, have been published as a book 'Viruses of Legumes, 1983'.
Planned expansion of the data base will include other viruses, for example, those of Solanaceae or Gramineae. Virologists from overseas will spend time in Australia working with the system, adding material to the data base and preparing translations, and assisting in the development of new areas.
Every 6 months, the project will distribute the entire data base in microfiche form to all contributors.

Project Outcomes
Outcomes for this project are currently being prepared