Variability in Reactions of Groundnuts Varieties to Groundnut Rosette Virus Isolates from Uganda

Aims: The study was conducted to assess the variability in reactions of groundnut varieties to groundnut rosette virus isolates from Uganda (Please correct the yellow highlighted sentence).

Study Design: The experimental design was randomized complete block design arranged as a split plot with three replications. The main plots were the groundnut varieties while the sub-plot were the groundnut rosette virus isolates collected from central, western and eastern Uganda.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the screen house, Kyambogo University, Kampala during 2011 and 2012, respectively

Materials and Methods: Non-viliferous aphids obtained from Mukono zonal agricultural research and development institute (MUZARDI) fed on infected groundnut plants collected from central, western and eastern Uganda were used to infect 3 week old groundnut seedlings in a screen house.

Results: There were significant variation in reactions (P<0.05) among the groundnut varieties to groundnut rosette virus isolates. Similarly, significant variety x isolate interactions were observed for incidence, leaf area index and plant height.

Conclusion: This study has shown that there were significant variations in reactions of groundnut varieties to groundnut rosette virus isolates. In general, two groundnut rosette pathotypes exist in Uganda. Therefore, this is important in management of the disease