Title: Alternative Host Plants (Crops And Weeds) For Groundnut Ringspot Virus (Grsv) In Kenya
Authors: L W Murere, B Mukoye, M Kollenberg
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
Pages: 60-71
Publication Date: 2026/01/28
Abstract:
Groundnut Ringspot Virus (GRSV) infects a wide range of plants in the families of Solanaceae, Fabaceae and many others. Most crops Infected; tomato, pepper, eggplant, tomatillo, Nicotiana, groundnut (peanut), soybean, mungbean, peas, watermelon, lettuce and some common garden weeds among others. The symptoms Induced by this virus include; ringspots, leaf mosaic, leaf distortion, leaf chlorosis with green spots, stem necrosis, stunted growth and bronzed with necrotic lessions wilting fruit deformities among others. The virus is transmitted mostly by Frankliniella occidentalis and Frankliniella schultzei Thrips. GRSV and TSWV have similar biological symptoms but differentiated using serological tests. Typical Symptoms for GRSV appears on crops grown by small scale farmers and other plants in western Kenya but no report had been documented on the host plants to the virus in Kenya. The general objective of this study was to determine the host plants to GRSV in both garden crops and weeds growing in Kenya. Survey on prevalence of GRSV, was conducted in short and long rain seasons of the years 2019 and 2020 in western Kenya to identify plant species having typical symptoms of GRSV and their distribution in different ecological zones. Serological analysis was done on samples collected using polyclonal and monoclonal antisera against GRSV and TSWV respectively. Health tested seeds to GRSV of plant species were planted in plastic pots of a mixture of sterilized loam, sand and organic manure at a ratio of 2:1:1 respectively in a greenhouse to screen for their response and host range to GRSV and inoculated with GRSV inoculum. Plants symptomatic development observed at an interval of 5 days for 8 weeks and plant samples for each species collected for GRSV ELISA Tests. Screened plants; Pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan), Bambara nut (Vigna subterranean), Chenopodium album, Galinsoga parviflora, Ageratum conyzoides, American burn weed, Commelina benghalensis, Solanum incanum, Solanum ptychanthum, were revealed for the first time globally being the alternative host for GRSV among others. Most of legumes crops and garden weeds that display typical symptoms of GRSV are alternative hosts for GRSV in Kenya. There is need to avoid intercropping crops that display typical symptom of the virus with desired crops of economic importance. Introgression of resistant genes into crops of economic importance to gain resistance to the virus should be done with urgency to reduce GRSV incidences. Also weeds with typical symptoms of GRSV should be eliminated from crops that are susceptible to GRSV to minimize transmission of the virus to crops.