Effect of antibiotics on the infectivity of potato virus Y

ABSTRACT

Four antibiotics viz. ampicillin, chloramphenicol, penicillin G. sodium and streptomycin sulfate were tested for their antiviral activities against potato virus Y [PVY] in a susceptible host, Datura metel, which reacts by mosaic symptoms when inoculated with PVY in vitro and in vivo. The results revealed that ampicillin and chloramphenicol did not exhibit potential antiviral activities in vitro and in vivo. So, they may not be useful in controlling PVY infection. Penicillin G. sodium did not significantly affect PVY infectivity in vitro except at 2000 ppm for 180 minutes, while streptomycin sulfate caused significant and highly significant reduction at 1000 or 2000 ppm for 60 and 180 minutes. In vivo neither penicillin G. sodium nor streptomycin sulfate caused a significant reduction in PVY infectivity. Twenty-four hours preinoculation spraying of Datura metel with penicillin G. sodium and streptomycin sulfate delayed the appearance of symptoms, while postinoculation treatment hastened the appearance of mosaic symptoms. So, penicillin G. sodium and streptomycin sulfate did not act as inhibitors of PVY infections