Role of weeds in the perpetuation of virus diseases of vegetables and ornamental plants

Abstract

Virus diseases affecting ten different weed plants and their possible role in the perpetuation of virus diseases of certain cultivated plants were investigated. These ten weeds were affected by 13 virus diseases. All the 13 viruses were transmitted by wedge grafting. Among the 13 viruses studied, 3 viruses, viz., mosaic of Amaranthus viridis yellow mosaic of Micrococca mercurialis and mosaic Stachytarpheta indica were transmitted by sap inoculation and by insect vectors. Eight viruses, viz., yellow vein mosaic of Ageratumconizoides, leaf curl of A. conizoides, yellow vein mosaic of Croton sparsiflorus and Sida cordifolia, yellow mosaic of Micrococca mercurialis, leaf curl of Stachytarpheta indica and Synedrella nodiflora and yellow mosaic mottle of Stachytarpheta indica var. jamaicensis were transmitted by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Genn.