Abstract

                                Sterility mosaic disease (SMD), the most devastating disease of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is caused by Pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus (PPSMV) transmitted by the eriophyid mite Aceria cajani. PPSMV is known to exist as distinct isolated in different regions of India. The Coimbatore isolate of PPSMV was purified, characterized at molecular level and compared with the type isolate of Patancheru region (Andhra Pradesh state, India). While viral nucleicacid analysis, northern hybridization and RT-PCR showed similarity among these isolates, variation in the molecular weight of virus related protein was found to be responsible for characterizing Coimbatore isolate of PPSMV as a distinct one.

Key words : Cajanus cajan, Sterility mosaic disease, PPSMV, Virus isolates