Characterization of Peanut Mottle Virus in Cote d'Ivoire

A virus, hitherto unreported in Cote d'Ivoire, was detected in groundnut plant ( Arachis hypogaea ) from the northern parts of the country. Infected plants showed mottling, interveinal depression, and very prominent light and dark green patches on leaves. The causal agent was characterized as a strain of peanut mottle virus, a member of the potyvirus group, on the basis of its host range, mode of transmission, physical properties, particle morphology and on the basis of its serological properties studied in comparison with these of other groundnut viruses.