Occurrence of virus like symptoms on Carica Papaya in Gorakhpur district Dubey DK1,*, Pandey Naveen2, Upadhyaya PP 1DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur-273009, UP, India 2Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi-110012 *Email: durgesh2183@rediffmail.com
Online published on 4 December, 2014. Abstract The papaya (Carica papaya Linn.) belongs to the family Caricaceae. India is the largest producer of papaya fruit, having increased its share in world production to 38% in 2011–12. In India, the major papaya producing state is Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The area under papaya cultivation has shown commendable increase in the state of Uttar Pradesh in last few years.Papaya is primarily a fresh market fruit, and is used in drinks, jams, pectin, murabba, ice-cream, pickles, and candies. The fruit is rich source of several vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, K. It has also medicinal value it uses in treatments of several diseases. Papaya is prone to a number of viral diseases. A large number of virus belonging to Cucumo-, Gemini-, Ilar-, Poty-Rhabdo-, Tobra-, Tospo-, virus group have been recorded on papaya plant. Out of which the Papaya ring spot virus (PRSV) and Papaya leaf curl begomovirus are the most important one worldwide. During survey in year 2012–13 in different location of Gorakhpur districts a virus like symptom recorded on papaya plant. The symptom was recorded severe curling, crinkling and rolling of leaves, reduction and deformation of petioles, internodes and main shoots. The leaves are drastically reduced in size and showed vein clearing and vein banding. Leaf margins are rolled downwards and inwards in the form of inverted bowls. Leaves of the infected plants became brittle and dark green and leathery. The interveinal areas of the affected leaves were much raised on the upper surface due to uneven growth and twisting of veins. The petioles of some of the affected plants also got twisted in a zigzag manner and bended towards inwards and outwards. The affected plants failed to flower and fruit. If fruits were there, they were small in size, deformed and of different colour shades as against the original healthy ones. Top Keywords Papaya, survey, symptoms, begomovirus. Top |