Serological Detection and Distribution of Eggplant Mosaic and Eggplant Mottled Dwarf Viruses on Eggplant in Kaduna State

Eggplant (S. melongena), an important and popular vegetable crop commonly grown in Nigeria and other parts of the world is usually affected by two pertinent viruses: Eggplant mosaic virus (EMV) and Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV). These two destructive viruses cause considerable yield loss in eggplant production. The need to guide the farmers through scientific information and technology suggested this targeted study on the two most prominent viruses affecting the crop. There are insufficient information pertaining to the crop and works on eggplant viruses and their alternative hosts in Kaduna State are not available. A serological survey and analysis was therefore carried out in order to evaluate the presence and distribution of the two viruses in Kaduna state of Nigeria. Most infected plants in the areas surveyed showed virus-like symptoms consisting predominantly of mottling, chlorosis, leaf distortion and stunted growth. A total of two hundred and seventy both of symptomatic and asymptomatic eggplant leaf samples were collected from three LGAs of the State. Twenty-one weed samples were also collected from the locations. The samples were screened using the Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) for the presence of Eggplant mosaic virus (EMV) and Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV). Results showed that EMV and EMDV were detected in single infection (EMV 16.67%, EMDV 33.33%). Among the weed species tested, Senna occidentalis, Isorbelina doka, Digitaria horizontalis tested positive for EMV whileAgeratum conyzoides, Axonopus compressus, Euphorbia heterophyllatested positive for EMDV.Ageratum conyzoides tested positive to both EMV and EMDV.