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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #118850
Title: CLASSIFICATION

Author
item FLORES, RICARDO - VALENCIA SPAIN
item RANDLES, JOHN - GLEN OSMOND AUSTRALIA
item Owens, Robert

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Press
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Viroids are the smallest known agents of infectious disease - small, circular RNA molecules which lack the protective protein coat that surround most conventional plant or animal virus particles. The diseases of fruits and vegetable caused by viroids are important for two reasons, the cost of quarantine testing to exclude several exotic diseases and the value of crop losses caused by diseases already present in the U.S. This invited book chapter describes the taxonomic principles used to assign individual viroid species (28 recognized so far) to one of two recognized viroid families. It will appear in a multi-author volume entitled "Plant Viroid Diseases and Their Control" to be published by the American Phytopathological Society. This volume is directed to students, scientists, or other interested parties looking for a broad overview of the biology, molecular biology, and control of viroid diseases.

Technical Abstract: Not needed for book chapter.