Carica Cauliflora—An Additional Host of Tobacco Leaf Curl Virus

A leaf curl disease of Carica cauliflora Jacq. was observed at Poona in 1959. It is characterised by stunted growth of affected plants, severe curling and crumpling of leaves with shortened internodes, and the main veins are gnarled and much pronounced on the underside of leaves. The disease is not transmitted by mechanical means, but is transmitted by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gen. In addition to C. cauliflora, it infects C. papaya, Lycopersicum esculentum, N. tabacum cv. White Burley, N. glutinosa, Petunia hybrida and Zinnia elegans. The causal agent has been identified as the tobacco leaf curl virus.