The Effect of Groundnut rosette assistor virus on the Agronomic Performance of Four Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes

The effect of Groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV), in the absence of the other two agents (Groundnut rosette virus and its satellite RNA) of the groundnut rosette disease virus complex, was evaluated on the agronomic performance of four groundnut (¼peanut) genotypes (CG-7, ICGV-SM-90704, JL-24 and ICG- 12991) with different botanical characteristics. All genotypes infected with GRAV showed mild yellowing/ chlorosis of leaves and the symptoms persisted throughout their growth period. ELISA absorbance values indicated lower amounts of GRAV antigen in ICGV-SM-90704 than in the other genotypes. The reduction in leaf area due to GRAV infection varied between 15.5% and 21.7%, whereas the plant height was decreased between 11.3% and 13.4% among the four genotypes. GRAV infection caused 28.4%, 16.9%, 21.7% and 25.5% reduction in the dry weight of haulms in CG-7, ICGV-SM-90704, JL-24 and ICG- 12991 respectively. Plants infected with GRAV showed greater reduction in seed weight in CG-7 (52.2%), followed by JL-24 (46.1%), ICG-12991 (40.7%) and ICGV-SM-90704 (25.7%). These results provide evidence for the first time that GRAV infection, without GRV and sat RNA, affect plant growth and contribute to yield losses in groundnut