Occurrence and distribution of potyviruses infecting sorghum in Kaduna and Kano States, Nigeria

Abstract

Field surveys were conducted during the 2012 wet season in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) each of Kaduna and Kano States, Nigeria, to determine the incidence of potyviruses infecting sorghum. Sorghum leaves (n = 450) showing mosaic, streak, dwarfism and asymptomatic ones were collected from 30 fields. Based on the fields, the virus disease incidence in Kaduna State was 19.3, 17.1, 53.7, 35.4 and 32.7% for Sabon Gari, Giwa, Lere, Kubau and Makarfi LGAs, respectively. In Kano State, the incidence was 13.3, 32.9, 28.9, 34.3 and 50.9% for Tsanyawa, Minjibir, Wudil, Sumaila and Garun Malam LGAs, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed in the detection of the viruses. There was overall incidence of Sorghum mosaic virus 2.8%, Maize dwarf mosaic virus 2.0%, Sugarcane mosaic virus 3.3% and unidentified potyvirus 4.2% from the two states.