Chickpea Filiform, a New Viral Disease of Cicer arietinum. Walter J. Kaiser, Research Plant Pathologist, Western Regional Plant Introduction Station, USDA, ARS. Stephen D. Wyatt, Richard M. Hannan, and Yvonne Cody. Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Horticulturist, Western Regional Plant Introduction Station, USDA, ARS, and Former Graduate Student, Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164.. Plant Dis. 72:70-74. Accepted for publication 11 August 1987. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1988. DOI: 10.1094/PD-72-0070.

A new viral disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) characterized by filiform leaves was detected in the USDA Cicer germ plasm collection at Central Ferry, WA. Incidence of virus-infected chickpeas was<1%, and the virus, designated chickpea filiform virus (CFV), had a very restricted host range. All Cicer accessions tested (>30), including six wild species, were susceptible and developed filiform leaves. The only other plants infected systemically were lentil (Lens culinaris), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and Nicotiana clevelandii. CFV was transmitted in a styletborne (nonpersistent) manner from virus-infected chickpea to chickpea and fenugreek by Myzus persicae and Acyrthosiphon pisum. Seed yields of chickpea mechanically inoculated in the field with CFV at prebloom and full bloom were reduced 80 and 46%, respectively. Seed size was also adversely affected. No seed transmission of CFV was detected in chickpea or fenugreek. Virus particles typical of the potyvirus group were observed under the electron microscope. A serological relationship with bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (BlCMV), and cowpea aphidborne mosaic virus (CAMV) was suggested in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with BYMV, BlCMV, and CAMV antisera. A relationship with BYMV was confirmed by serologically specific electron microscopy. Ascitic fluid produced in mice against CFV, however, did not react in ELISA with BYMV, BlCMV, CAMV, or with three other potyviruses. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship of CFV to BYMV, BlCMV, and CAMV.

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