Serological analysis of Jatropha Mosaic Virus

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. is a major commercial biodiesel crop grown on 98 million acres in India. There is growing interest in J. curcas as a biodiesel “Miracle Tree” to help alleviate the energy crisis and generate income in rural areas of developing countries. The J. curcas 
suffer from several diseases but Jatropha mosaic disease is one of the most serious constraints among the disease caused by Gemini virus belonging to genus begomovirus. The present study on serological analysis of Jatropha mosaic virus showed that the antiserum prepared from the purified JMV preparations was found to be specific to Jatropha mosaic virus and reacted with clarified JMV sap up to a dilution of 1:128 and up to 1:1024 with purified JMV Preparations. The titre of the antiserum was determined to be 1:1024 with purified JMV preparations. The antiserum of JMV did not react with the antigen of Cowpea mosaic virus and Broad bean mosaic virus. Thus it is concluded that JMV is serologically not related to these viruses.