Systemic Infection of <i>Vigna mungo</i> Using the Cloned DNAs of the Blackgram Isolate of Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Geminivirus through Agroinoculation and Transmission of the Progeny Virus by Whiteflies

Abstract

Abstract Agroinoculation of blackgram ( Vigna mungo ) by the cloned genomic components (DNA‐A and DNA‐B) of a non‐sap transmissible isolate of mungbean yellow mosaic geminivirus (MYMV) has been demonstrated. It has been shown that MYMV has a bipartite genome. Tandem dimeric constructs of DNA‐A and DNA‐B were infectious when inoculated together and induced systemic yellow mosaic symptoms. Agroinoculation of germinated seeds of blackgram was superior to inoculation of stems of seedlings. Infection of blackgram plants was confirmed by ELISA, dot blot and Southern hybridization. Agroinfected plants contained different forms of DNA characteristic of whitefly transmitted geminiviruses. The virus from agroinfected plants was transmissible by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci.