Further studies on co-infection of cowpea by sunn-hemp mosaic virus and cowpea mosaic virus

Abstract

The effect of single infection and combined infections on two cultivars of cowpeas by cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) and sunn-hemp mosaic virus (SHMV) is described. In contrast to previous studies on other cultivars, co-infection reduced fresh weight and leaf area significantly more than did infection by either pathogen alone. More CPMV and less SHMV was extracted from the leaf tissues of co-infected seedlings than from comparable tissues of seedlings infected by either of these viruses alone.