Molecular detection of Begomovirus (family: Geminiviridae) infecting Glycine max (L.) Merr. and associated weed Vigna trilobata

Abstract

Plant virus detection and diagnosis play major role in ascertaining the crop losses and to devise efficient disease control strategies. Yellow mosaic viruses (genus: Begomovirus; family: Geminiviridae) are serious pathogens of grain legumes and leguminous weeds. In this study, we report PCR based diagnosis of legume yellow mosaic viruses infecting soybean and associated weed species Vigna trilobata in soybean crop ecosystem. Simple and efficient PCR based detection designed for studying begomoviruses infecting soybean was utilized in identifying yellow mosaic virus infection in weed Vigna trilobata. Initial PCR detection demonstrated yellow mosaic symptoms in Vigna and soybean are due to legume begomovirus infection. Further PCR assay in Vigna and soybean revealed infection was due to Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) which is prevalent in soybean grown regions of central India. Implications of MYMIV infection in perennial weed species like Vigna for disease management strategies are also discussed.