Begomovirus Detection on Diseased Chili Plant (Capsicum annum L.) in Tanah Karo North-Sumatera with PCR Techniques

Abstract

Begomovirus (from the Geminivirus) is one of the most common virus that causes losses of chili plants in Tanah Karo. The existence of Begomovirus infection effect the chili plant reduce the production, and make a decrease in both the quality and quantity of that. Begomovirus detection only by looking at morphological symptoms could not provide accurate results. It is because Begomovirus has symptoms that are almost identical to other viral diseases. Therefore this research was done to detect Begomovirus molecularly by using PCR technique. A total of 20 leaf samples from chili plant with symptomatic virus were taken from 20 villages in Tanah Karo. Results of the research were morphological symptoms such as vein clearing, thickened and curved leaf edges roll up (cupping), young leaves shrink and bright yellow colored leaves. PCR by using specific primers Begomovirus indicated the presence of a 1500 Bp DNA fragment in all samples of chili DNA. Anatomical results in the form of stomatal density showed healthy chili plants have greater stomata density compared to Begomovirus infected plants.