Loss of genetic diversity in pea germplasm by the elimination of individuals infected by pea seedborne mosaic virus

Significant reduction of genetic diversity was observed in seed coat colour and electrosphoretic isozyme genotypes when infected plants were eliminated in genetically heterogeneous pea populations. Some accessions where genetic homogeneity was expected were apparently mixtures. Detection of latent infections by pea seedborne mosaic virus by the ELISA method was more effective on single-plant samples than on bulked samples of four to five plants, and from older plants rather than young seedlings. The implication of these findings in relation to a virus eradication programme in plant germplasm collections are discussed.