A serious disease of groundnut caused by Cowpea Mild Mottle virus in the Sudan

Abstract

A serious disease of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) characterized by stunting of plants, downward rolling, mottling, general chlorosis and reduced size of the leaflets was observed in the Sudan. Surveys conducted from 1992 to 1994 showed that this disease was restricted to irrigated groundnut crops grown between the two Niles. The virus had slightly flexuous filamentous particles (626 nm long) and was transmitted by whiteflies. It was identified serologically as cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV). This appears to be the first record of natural occurrence of CPMMV on groundnut in the Sudan and the first evidence that it causes a disease of major economic importance.