New Diseases and Epidemics A New Green-Sterile Disease of Guar in South Africa

Abstract

Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in South Africa showed symptoms of small necrotic lesions on the leaves and reduced influorescences. About half the seeds from infected pods were distorted and did not germinate. These symptoms are unlike any other viral diseases reported in guar, and the disease has been named the green-sterile disease. A flexuous viral particle (750× 15 nm) has consistently been isolated from infected plants and seed. This viral particle is transmissible to Glycine max, Lycopersicon esculentum, Phaseolus vulgaris, Vicia faba, and Vigna unguiculata by mechanical inoculation (...)