The Role of Nicotiana Species in Plant Virology with Special Regard to Nicotiana benthamiana Domin: A Review

Nicotiana species and cultivars have been used extensively in virus detection and propagation. The ten Nicotiana species and one hybrid (Nicotiana clevelandii x N. glutinosa) of major virological importance belong to six sections: Alatae (N. sylvestris), Bigelovianae (N. clevelandii), Genuinae (N. tabacum), Rusticae (N. rustica), Suaveolentes (N. benthamiana, N. debneyi, N. exigua, N. goodspeedii, N. megalosiphon) and Tomentosae (N. glutinosa). The study shortly deals with the role of the major Nicotiana species in virology, and gives a comprehensive survey of the virus susceptibility of Nicotiana benthamiana. Latter plant is susceptible to 203 viruses belonging to 26 virus groups and an unclassified group. As far as we know the Nicotiana benthamiana is susceptible to most viruses and thereby a first-class test plant in virology.