Comparative Studies on Aphid Transmission of the Sudanese Strain of Peanut Stunt Virus

Abstract

The Sudanese strain of peanut stunt virus was transmitted by Aphis craccivora, Aphis solanella, Myzus persicae and Liaphis erysimi. Of these, A. solanella and L. erysimi were reported for the first time as vectors of peanut stunt virus. A. gossypii, A. solani and Rhopalosiphum maidis failed to transmit the virus. Viruliferous aphids retained the virus for 30 minutes but post‐acquisition starvation beyond 30 minutes resulted in almost complete loss of the virus. A. craccivora transmitted the virus to four consecutive test plants and A. solanella, L. erysimi and M. persicae transmitted the virus to three consecutive test plants. It has been suggested that future research programmes should, include resistance to the virus in the major legume crops and that a crop like lucerne (Medicago sativa) which harbours both the virus and its vectors, should not be introduced in the major peanut‐growing areas of the Sudan. Copyright © 1986, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved