Weed hosts of Sugarcane mosaic virus in selected Local Government Areas of Kaduna and Kano States, Nigeria

Abstract

Thirteen weed grasses with virus-like and non-virus-like symptoms were randomly collected in 2012 within and around infected sorghum fields in Kaduna and Kano States, representing Northern Guinea Savannah and Sudan Guinea Savannah zones, respectively. The samples were analyzed using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) for Sugarcane Mosaic Virus infection. Two weed species [Pennisetum purpureum Schumach and Digitaria exilis (Kippist) Stapf) were tested positive for the virus. The rest of the weed grasses reacted negatively to the antibody. This is the first report of weed species as natural reservoir of Sugarcane Mosaic Virus in Kaduna and Kano States, Nigeria.