Detection of a begomovirus associated with yellow mosaic disease of Ashwagandha (Withania somniferaL.) and its impact on biomass yield

Abstract

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) is considered as Indian Ginseng due to its great medicinal properties in its roots, leaves and fruits (berry). It is grown in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The production of its roots in India is about 1500 tonnes per year. A yellow mosaic disease on W. somnifera with a significant disease incidence was observed during the surveys in 2008–09 at Aligarh, Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and Hindaun City in Rajasthan, India. The characteristic disease symptoms and whitefly population observed in the vicinity indicated the possibility of begomovirus infection. The association of a begomovirus was detected through electron microscopic observations and confirmed by positive amplification of expected size (~800 bp, 1.2 Kb) DNA fragments during PCR using two pairs of begomovirus specific primers. The begomovirus association with the disease of W. somnifera was concluded on the basis of virus transmission by whitefly, host range study, electron microscopic observations and positive amplification of expected size DNA bands by PCR using two pairs of begomovirus specific primers. The impact of begomovirus infection on growth and biomass yield W. somnifera plants was also studied which indicated significant losses to its biomass yield.