The relationship of within-host multiplication and virulence in a plant-virus system.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Virulence does not represent any obvious advantage to parasites. Most models of virulence evolution assume that virulence is an unavoidable consequence of within-host multiplication of parasites, resulting in trade-offs between within-host multiplication and between-host transmission fitness components. Experimental support for the central assumption of this hypothesis, i.e., for a positive correlation between within-host multiplication rates and virulence, is limited for plant-parasite systems.

Methodology/principal findings

We have addressed this issue in the system Arabidopsis thaliana-Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Virus multiplication and the effect of infection on plant growth and on viable seed production were quantified for 21 Arabidopsis wild genotypes infe

SUBMITTER: Pagan I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1950075 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature