Transmission of Mosaic Disease of Amaranthus by the Bug (Nezara viridula L.) in India

Abstract

The paper reports the transmission of mosaic disease of grain amaranths (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) in India by the bug (Nezara viridula L.) in non persistent manner. The causal virus was acquired by the bugs in 60 sec and required a minimum inoculation feeding period of 30 sec. A single bug was capable of transmitting the virus. The bugs did not require any pre-acquisition fasting and were able to transmit the virus when allowed immediate feeding on test hosts. It remains viruliferous up to 360 min following feeding on source host. 

Keywords: Amaranthus mosaic virus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, transmission, Nezara viridula