Identification and Incidence of Peanut Viruses in Georgia

Surveys of peanuts in Georgia in 1983 detected peanut mottle virus (PMV), peanut stripe virus (PStV), and peanut stunt virus. The mild strain of PMV was by far the most prevalent virus in commercial peanuts; it occurred in every field and an average incidence of 15-20% was observed when the growing season was about two-thirds complete. The necrosis strain of PMV was noted in 39% of the fields, but the incidence was less than 0.1%. A new severe strain of PMV (chlorotic stunt) was identified in two fields. PStV was found at four locations; in each case the infected plants were near peanut germplasm lines from The People's Republic of China. Mixed infections of PMV and PStV occurred frequently. Peanut stunt virus was noted only in one research field in 1983. Numerous serological and sap inoculation tests did not detect tomato spotted wilt virus or cowpea chlorotic mottle viru