Effect of Viral Infection on the Nutrient Contents of two Forage Legumes

Abstract

The use of Stylosanthes guianensis (I.164) and Peuraria phaseoloides as feed for ruminants in the tropics have been emphasised however information on the effect of viruses on their nutritive contents are scarce. In an investigation on the effects of viruses on the nutrient composition of these legumes, three viruses namely Bean common mosaic (Potyvirus) {BCMV}, Cucumber mosaic virus (Cucumovirus) {CMV}and Cowpea mottle virus {CPMoV}were singly inoculated on to these plants through the two youngest leaves. Leaves of inoculated plants were collected, dried and analysed for various mineral contents. The three viruses significantly increased (p = 0.05) the level of zinc, potassium and phosphorus in P. phaseoloides. However inoculation of sole CMV decreased the content of manganese in P. phaseoloides as compared with the uninoculated controls. Single viral inoculation of CMV and CPMV on to S. guianensis (I.164) showed significant increase in the level of zinc with 96.42 and 98.98 ppm as compared with 80.98 ppm recorded for healthy controls.