Cryotherapy-based methods for virus and viroid eradication in horticultural plants

Abstract

Rapid population growth poses a major challenge to global food security. Promoting sustainable agricultural production is necessary to ensure global food security. Horticultural plants are a high-valued part of agricultural production. Virus and viroid diseases have long been a key factor limiting horticultural production. Cultivating and distributing pathogen-free plants is currently the most efficient practice for managing virus and viroid diseases and their spread in the landscape. Cryotherapy-based methods are recently developed novel biotechnologies for the efficient production of pathogen-free plants. This review outlines updated information on the development and advances in cryotherapy-based methods for efficiently eradicating viruses and viroids in horticultural plants. Mechanisms underlining cryotherapy-based methods for improved pathogen eradication are discussed, and suggestions for further studies are proposed