Abstract: Meristem-tip of protocorms of Cymbidium sinense was employed to study eradication of CymMv by combining tissue culture and chemotherapy. Meristem-tip of protocorms about 1 - 2 mm in length were excised and immersed separately with 0, 20 and 40 mg·L ^{- 1} of antiviral agent, ribavirin for 15 mins, followed by the sub-culture, the regenerated plantlets were achieved. Above materials were determined for virus infection by RT-PCR assay. Experiment indicated that RNA of virus-infected samples were determined and the amplified 767 bp specific fragments of CymMv could be visibled clearly in agarose gel electrophoresis, and no product appeared in the health control; only 72.9% of the plantlets obtained merely by meristem of protocorms culture were virus-free, while the percentage was 100% for plantlets regenerated from meristem of protocorms, ever treated by 20 mg·L ^{- 1} of ribavirin, though the chemical injured tissue to certain extents, which were still recovered, efficient proliferation of adventitious buds were achieved, and plantlets were regenerated subsequently after 5 - 6 months. When treated with 40 mg·L ^{- 1} of ribavirin following above-mentioned method, meristem of protocorms became transparent and browned, and the cell vigor could not be recovered.

Key words: Cymbidium sinense (Andr. ) Willd., CymMv (Cymbidium mosaic virus), Ribavirin, RT-PCR