Research Projects

In India, until a few years ago, only staggered incidences of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) were reported. However, due to climate change, a rise in incidences of TuMV infection has been noticed in various mustard-growing regions such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Furthermore, increasing transmission rates due to climate factors such as temperature and light intensity have boosted viral survival, disease incidence, and severity. Recently, TuMV infection was reported from India with 100% disease incidence. On testing, TuMV was found to be internally seed-borne and vertically seed-transmitted to the progeny plants. Highlighting the above, this project is proposed to assess the prevalence and damage potential of TuMV in Indian mustard. And to screen the genotypes (cultivated and wild relatives) for TuMV seed transmission and to identify possible factors mediating resistance and susceptibility. Lastly, since this 100-year-old known virus is the first time conclusively found to be seed-transmitted, deciphering the mechanism of seed-transmission becomes the next important aspect to deploy the right management strategy. To accomplish the stated objectives, a survey will be conducted in the farmers fields of major mustard-growing regions; symptomatic and non-symptomatic plant samples and immature and mature seeds from the same plants will be collected and subjected to RT-PCR tests in the lab. The disease incidence will be recorded in all the genotypes grown. The mature seeds will be subjected to grow-out tests to determine the seed transmission of TuMV. The seedlings of uninfected seed lots will be mechanically inoculated with TuMV to check the possibility of seed transmission on infection. This will help in identifying the resistant genotypes to TuMV seed transmission. The generated information will be utilized for transcriptomic analysis of the contrasting genotypes to construct a proof of concept regarding the resistance and susceptibility of the genotypes. The rate of TuMV seed transmission will be determined in selected genotypes based on symptom expression. Further, the mode of movement from the vegetative to the flowering parts to become seed transmitted (i.e., either via suspensor cells or direct/indirect invasion) will be assessed through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a probe. The proposed study will contribute valuable insights into the prevalence and importance of TuMV infection of mustard genotypes in India. It will be useful in identifying the resistant and susceptible genotypes to seed transmission of various cultivated and wild relatives of mustard. The genotypes resistant to seed transmission will contribute to the control of TuMV in mustard by reducing seed-transmitted primary inoculum and its dissemination. The identification of seed-transmission mechanisms and pro-viral factors will help the researchers to direct their focus on the management of this virus in an efficient manner.