Changes in Fine Structure of the Potato Meristem Following Heat Treatment for Virus Eradication

Abstract

Potato virus S has been successfully eliminated from the 'Exton' cultivar of the potato (Solanum tuberosum 'Exton'). This has been achieved by a variety of heat treatments and variations in nutrient media for growing meristem tips. As part of this research program we have examined the fine structure of the meristem tips following heat therapy, and aberrant changes were seen in rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria, chloroplasts and membrane systems. A combination of these changes retard viral spread and development within the meristem.