Characterization of Seedling Wilting Symptoms Associated with Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus (CLRDV)

Characterization of seeding wilting symptoms associated with Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus (CLRDV)

Sharma, D.B, West, D., Khanal, S., Jones, D., Koebernick, J., and Chee, P. W.

Cotton Leafroll Dwarf disease (CLRDD) is caused by cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV; family Luteoviridae, genus Polerovirus), which is transmitted by cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii). Symptoms reported appear to be quite variable but early seedling leaves readening and wilting have been associated with the virus. The characteristic of symptomatic plants can be divided into 7 stages of disease progression from stage 0 (asymptomatic) to stage 6 (complete wilting). One of the symptoms of CLRDV is elevated leaf surface temperature of infected plants. The objective of study was to determine increase in leaf surface temperature of disease plants. Plants derived from four varieties viz. DP 4616, ST 5122, ST 5289 and DG 3615 were used. Leaf surface temperature were recorded using a non-contact infrared thermometer for every 2-hour interval, starting from 6 AM to 8 PM. Results suggest that infected plants have shown a significantly higher temperature than healthy plants.