1International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru-502324, Andhra Pradesh.
2Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie DD2 5DA, Dundee, UK.
Abstracts of the papers presented at the 16th Annual Convention and International Symposium of Indian Virological Society on “Management of Vector-Borne Viruses” at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru-502324, Hyderabad, India, February 7–10, 2006.
Sterility mosaic (SMD) is the most damaging disease of pigeonpea in the Indian subcontinent, seems to be native to pigeonpea growing countries of Asia, and has not been recorded elsewhere. The disease described in 1930s, but its causal agent, Pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus (PPSMV), vectored by an eriophyid mite, Aceria cajani, was characterized recently. Serological- and nucleic acid-based diagnostic tools were developed for the virus detection. The virus has novel properties with similarities in transmission and cytopathology with the eriophyid mite-transmitted High Plains virus and the agents of unidentified etiology associated with rose rosette, fig mosaic, thistle mosaic, wheat spot chlorosis and yellow ringspot of budwood. The virus occurs as several geographically distinct isolates and knowledge on genome properties and distribution of various PPSMV isolates, its relationships with other viruses and SMD epidemiology is limited. Characterization of various PPSMV isolates to identify the basis for the differences is essential to develop diagnostic tools for the precise identification of the virus isolates to conduct comprehensive surveys to assess the prevalence of various PPSMV isolates and their impact on pigeonpea cultivars. Current knowledge on PPSMV and methods for its detection are providing opportunities for new initiatives to study these aspects. This presentation will review the highlights of progress achieved on PPSMV and future challenges.
