Serological and Molecular Characterisation of Cucumber mosaic virus Infecting Lagenaria siceraria L. in Adim, Biase L.G.A., Cross River State, Nigeria

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the most important viral pathogens infecting a wide range of plant species in Nigeria. Mosaic and mottle symptoms were observed on Lagenaria siceraria L. in Adim Southern-Nigeria in 2018 and the infected leaves collected for investigation. This research was aimed at characterising the virus responsible for this infection with a view to identifying it. Antigen coated plate (ACP) enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene sequencing were employed methods in the characterisation process. The Amplified Complementary Deoxyribonucleic Acid (cDNA) was cloned and the nucleotide sequence was determined. Result of serology revealed that the virus belonged to the genus Cucumovirus while the gene sequence obtained when compared to known virus sequences present in the GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) program available at National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) revealed 97% sequence homologue with Cucumber mosaic virus confirming it as Cucumber mosaic virus. This is the first report of CMV infecting L. siceraria in Nigeria. I recommend further studies on insect and host range test of this virus be carried on.