Studies on the sterility mosaic disease of pigeon pea. I. Transmission of the disease

Abstract

The pigeon pea sterility mosaic was not transmitted by sap, insects or dodder. There were indications to show that probably the disease was soil borne. A consistent reduction in the disease incidence with reduction in nematode population by the application of nematocides D. D. and nemagon was observed. The reduction in disease incidence was greater in D. D. treated plots than in nemagon treated plots. A statistically significant positive correlation was established between the number ofRotylenchulus reniformis and Tylenchorhynchus sp. and the percentage of disease incidence. It is surmised that the disease is probably transmitted by R. reniformis and/or Tylenchorhynchus sp. A negative correlation was obtained between the population of plants and percentages of infection by this disease.