Identification of Resistant Sources of Vigna spp. against Yellow MosaicDisease

The cultivation of green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) and black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) in Jharkhand, India, is adversely affected by most destructive yellow mosaic disease (YMD), but the etiological agent in this region is not identified so far. Disease incidence and severity as high as 100 per cent in farmers' fields is common, often resulting in considerable yield losses in both the crops. Therefore, an attempt was made during crop seasons 2009 and 2010 at three locations viz., Ranchi, Dumka and Chianki of Jharkhand state with aim to confirm the identity of etiological agent of YMD as well as to identify the resistant sources of green gram and black gram against YMD. The identity of the etiological agent causing YMD in Vigna spp. in Jharkhand, India was confirmed as Munbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) in polymerase chain reaction using species specific primers. Out of twelve genotypes of green gram, only two genotypes, Meha and ML 1477 and two of eight genotypes of black gram, KU 323 and BS 23-13 were recorded either as resistant or highly resistant at all the three locations of Jharkhand which could be used as resistant donors against MYMIV in crop improvement programmes to develop high-yielding lines/ varieties and increased acreage of green gram and black gram crops.