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Etiology

Cowpea Mottle Virus: A Seed-Borne Virus with Distinctive Properties Infecting Cowpeas in Nigeria. S. A. Shoyinka, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, University of Ife, P. M. B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria; R. F. Bozarth(2), J. Reese(3), and H. W. Rossel(4). (2)Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA; (3)Kitchawan Research Laboratory of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Ossining, NY 10562, USA; (4)International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. Phytopathology 68:693-699. Accepted for publication 24 October 1977. Copyright © 1978 The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. All rights reserved.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-68-693.

A single-component, 30-nm diameter isometric, plant virus with 20% RNA, S_{20, m} = 122, and protein subunit molecular weight of 44,500 daltons was isolated from Nigerian cowpeas. These properties are distinct from any previously described virus. On the basis of host range, geographic distribution of isolates, and distinctive serological properties, the virus was considered to be the cowpea mottle virus which was previously described in terms of its biological properties. The virus was transmitted in the seed of all varieties of cowpeas tested and by the beetle Ootheca mutabilis in which it was retained for 5 days. The virus infects many species of Leguminosae, Chenopodiaceae, and Solanaceae and appears to be confined to Nigeria.