Symptomatology, host range, and effect on yield of a seed-transmitted Peanut virus.

Abstract

Field-grown groundnuts in Ga from 1961 onwards have been affected by a virus which causes leaf mottling, upward curling of the leaflets, and depression of interveinal tissue, and is named peanut [groundnut] mottle virus. The host range included 16 spp. of Leguminosae, bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) var. Topcrop being used as a local lesion assay host. The virus was isolated from 3 Cassia spp. in the field and was non-infective in groundnut sap, but was infective in preparations made with a buffer and a reducing agent. It survived dilution in pea or Canavalia ensiformis sap to 103, storage at 25°C. for 24 hr., and heating to 60°. Groundnut yields were reduced by 25%, many kernels were discoloured, and seed transmission was 2% [cf. 43, 3382g].