Vector Transmission of Eggplant Mottled Dwarf Virus in Iran

Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV) is a plant rhabdovirus whose natural means of transmission has remained unknown. In the present studyva rious arthropods including two mite, one psyllid, one thrips, five aphid, four planthopper and 14 leafhopper species were examined for their competence to vector EMDV. Healthyeggplant seedlings were inoculated byarthro - pods either from naturallyinfes ted EMDV infected plants or after having access to source plants and subsequent incubation on rearing host. Transmission was achieved onlyby the agallian leafhopper Agallia vorobjevi. Symptoms began to appear 20 days after inoculation. Viruliferous leafhoppers were also captured in the field. Symptomatic plants and vector leafhoppers reacted positivelywith EMDV antiserum in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. This is the first report on the identification of EMDV vector in Iran.