Biological transmission and severity of Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) lines

Abstract

Experiment was conducted under screenhouse conditions to evaluate the effect of Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (BlCMV) infected seeds on the growth and seed weight of selected soybean lines. Seeds harvested from ten soybean lines infected with BlCMV were evaluated using Completely Randomised Design with five replications. Seeds from confirmed healthy soybean plants were used as control. Disease incidence, disease severity, growth and seed weight per plant were recorded and infection was confirmed using Antigen Coated Plate-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ACP-ELISA). Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance at p≤0.05. At 4 weeks after sowing (WAS), 100 % disease incidence was observed among the BlCMV infected plants. TGX 1990 - 46F showed the lowest height reduction (4.8 %). Reduction in number of branches (22.2 %) and seed weight (86.7 %) was mildest in TGX 1951 - 3F. Based on most of the parameters evaluated, TGX 1951 - 3F and TGX 1990 - 46F were the least affected in seed-transmitted BlCMV – host plant pathosystem. These lines are candidates for further research in the effort to achieve sustainable strategy for reducing virus spread and improving soybean productivity in BlCMV endemic areas.