Vigna unguiculata
cowpea
7 Related Pests
Tobacco mosaic virus
virus
TMV U1, type, Vulgare or Common strain
tobacco mosaic tobamovirus,
VMT (Virus mosaique de tabac)
Worldwide
Widespread
Mexico
2023-08-21
Broad host range. Cultivated species listed below.
No
Occasionally listed as a host, no evidence that seed is a pathway.
Southern bean mosaic virus
virus
Bean mosaic virus 4, Bean southern mosaic virus, Southern bean mosaic sobemovirus, Southern bean mosaic virus 1, Phaseolusvirus, Marmor laesiofaciens
Africa: Benin, Cote d'Ivorie, Ghana, Morocco, NIgeria, Senegal, Togo, Zambia; Asia: China, India, Iran, Pakistan; Europe: France, Spain; North America: Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, USA; South America: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela.
AR, CA, FL, GA, IA, LA, MD, MI, SC, TN, TX, VA
China, Korea
2025-10-03
Southern bean mosaic virus infects beans and other legumes, producing mosaic leaf patterns, mottling, and reduced vigor. It is transmitted both by leaf beetles and through infected seed, particularly in beans and cowpea. Additional spread can occur mechanically from contact with sap or contaminated seed exudates. Several strains of Southern bean mosaic virus are known and are very specific to thier host. SBMV-B infects bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) but not cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), SBMV-CP infects cowpea, Ghana strain (SBMV-G) infects cowpeas and some bean cultivars, Mexican strain (SBMV-M) (Severe bean mosaic strain) infects beans and some cowpea cultivars.
Main: common bean, cowpea; Other: soybean
Yes
SBMV00-12, SBMV00-3, CABI CPC, DPV WEB, SBMV00-13
Seed transmission is documented. Importance in disease development is unclear.
SBMV00-12, SBMV00-3, CABI CPC, DPV WEB, SBMV00-13
Serological test and bioassay
SBMV00-12
Test has not been validated or standardized.
Hampton RO; Albrechtsen SE; Mathur SB, 1992. Seed health (viruses) of Vigna unguiculata selections from developing countries. Seed Science and Technology, 20:23-38
Lamptey PNL, Hamilton RI, 1974 A new cowpea strain of southern bean mosaic virus from Ghana. Phytopathology, 64:1100-1104.
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Description of Plant Viruses ; http://dpvweb.net/dpv/
Dawit, W., Mulatu, F., Eshete, Y., Negawo, A. T., Kumar, A., Muchugi, A., & Jones, C. S. (2024). Evaluation of in situ and ex situ forage germplasm collections reveals the first occurrence and seed-transmission of alfalfa mosaic virus and southern bean mosaic virus in Urochloa species. African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 41(2), 125-132.
Abutilon mosaic virus
virus
Abutilon infectious variegation virus, Abutilon mosaic bigeminivirus, Abutilon mosaic geminivirus, Bean chlorotic mottle virus, Dwarf mosaic geminivirus, Infectious chlorosis of Malvaceae, Malvaceous chlorosis geminivirus
South America
HI
Korea
2023-03-29
The mosaic disease caused by this virus is considered decorative in Abutilon spp. and is not detrimental to the species. Distribution is probably worldwide in Abutilon spp. Whitefly transmitted geminivirus. Abutilon mocaic virus is not seed transmitted.
Primarily in Abutilon spp. and other Malvaceae spp. common bean, cowpea.
No
ABMV00-2, ABMV00-3
This virus is a whitefly transmitted geminivirus and is not known to be seed transmitted.
ABMV00-2, ABMV00-3
Jeske, 2000. Abutilon mosaic virus Datasheet 373. Description of Plant Viruses; wwwdvpweb.net
EFSA Panel on Plant Health, 2013. Scientific Opinion on the risks to plant health posed by Bemisia tabaci species complex and viruses it transmits for the EU territory. EFSA Journal, 11(4). 3162. http://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/scientific_output/files/main_documents/3162.pdf
Cowpea mild mottle virus
virus
Bean angular mosaic virus, Cowpea mild mottle carlavirus, Eggplant mild mottle virus, Groundnut crinkle virus, Groundnut ngomeni mottle virus, Psophocarpus necrotic mosaic virus,Tomato pale chlorosis virus,Voandzeia mosaic virus
Asia, Africa, Oceania, Belgium, Netherlands
Not known to occur
Korea
2022-11-11
The virus is transmitted by white flies.
cowpea, soybean, common bean, tomato, peanut, faba bean
No
CPMMV0-3, CPMMV0-4, CPMMV0-5, CPMMV0-6, CPMMV0-8
Pathway not proven. Seed transmission in cowpea is contradictory, as early reports (Brunt and Kenten, 1973) were done with seed from artificially inoculated plants. Later references (Gillaspie, 1995; Horn, 1991; Jeyanandara and Brunt, 1992)) were unable to detect the virus using direct ELISA tests on seed from naturally infected plants. Virus strain, plant genotype and duration of infection may have affected seed transmission studies (Jeyanandara and Brunt, 1993)
CPMMV0-3, CPMMV0-4, CPMMV0-5, CPMMV0-6, CPMMV0-8
ELISA
CPMMV0-8, CPMMV0-6
This test has not been validated or standardized.
Fauquet C, Thouvenel J-C, 1987. Plant viruses in the Ivory Coast. Initiations, Documentations, Techniques, No. 46. Paris, France:ORSTOM, 243
Jeyanandarajah and Brunt AA 1993. The Natural Occurrence, Transmission, Properties and Possible Affinities of Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus. Journal of Phytopathology 109: 245-253
Brunt AA and Kenten RH, 1973. Cowpea mild mottle, a newly recognized virus infecting cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in Ghana. Annals of Applied Biology, 74:67-74
Horn, N. M.; Saleh, N.; Baliadi, Y.Cowpea mild mottle virus could not be detected by ELISA in soybean and groundnut seeds in Indonesia.Netherlands Journal of Plant Pathology 97:125-127"
Gillaspie, A. G., Jr.; Hopkins, M. S.; Pinnow, D. L. 1993. Seedborne viruses in preintroduction cowpea seed lots and establishment of virus-free accessions. Plant Disease, 1993, 77, 9, pp 875-877
Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus
virus
Bean yellow stipple virus, Marmor flavopunctum,Virus del moteado amarillo
USA, Costa Rica
Unknown, appears to be restricted.
Korea
2023-04-27
Beetle transmitted bromovirus. Sporadic outbreaks over the years, as resistance and beetle control have improved.
bean, soybean, cowpea
No
CCMV00-2, CCMV00-3
Seed is not known to be a pathway.
CCMV00-2, CCMV00-3
Bancroft, JB. 1971. Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus Datasheet 49. Description of Plant Viruses; wwwldvpweb.net.
Brunt, AA, Crabtree, K., Dallwitz, MJ, Gibbs, AJ, Watson, L. and Zurcher, EJ. (eds.). Plant Viruses Online: Descriptions and Lists from the VIDE Database, Version: 16th 1997. http://bio-mirror.im.ac.cn/mirrors/pvo/vide/refs.htm
Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens
bacteria
Bacterium flaccumfaciens, Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens subsp. flaccumfaciens, Phytomonas flaccumfacien, Pseudomonas flaccumfaciens
Africa: Maurtius, Tunisia, Zambia; Asia: Iran, Turkey; Europe: Belgium, Russia; North America: Canada, USA; Oceania: Australia; South America: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela.
CO, CT, ID, IA, MI, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, VA, WI, WY.
EU
2024-11-21
Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff) is a seedborne pathogen that is included in the A2 (high risk) list of quarantine pathogens by EPPO. It can overwinter in plant debris and in weeds. Root damage caused by infections from the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita has been shown to facilitate the entry of pathogens into host plants. The bacterium can multiply quickly in hot and humid weather. Infection is not as visible in temperate climates, therefore lab tests need to be done to confirm infection.
Main: Fabaceae family primarily common bean.
Uncertain
CORBFL-5, CORBFL-8, CORBFL-9, CORBFL-10, CABI CPC, EPPO, CORBFL-22, CORBFL-25
Cff has been shown to infect some Vigna species, such as mung bean and cowpea, under experimental conditions. However, natural infections are rarely reported, and Vigna crops are not considered major hosts or known pathways for spread via seed.
CORBFL-5, CORBFL-8, CORBFL-9, CORBFL-10, CABI CPC, EPPO, CORBFL-22, CORBFL-25
Dilution plating, PCR
CORBFL-2, CORBFL-8, CORBFL-9, NSHS USDA
cultural
CABI CPC, EPPO, CORBFL-15, CORBFL-17, CORBFL-26, CORBFL-28
The use of clean seed is the most effective method to prevent spread. Field inspection appears to be inadequate to detect Cff. Weeds, volunteer plants, and plant debris should be removed. There are no effective seed treatments against cff.
Schuster ML and Smith CC, 1983. Surveillance and seed transmission of three strains of Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Fitopatologia Brasileira, 8:87-92
Diatloff A, Wong,WC, Wood BA, 1993. Non-destructive methods of detecting Curtobacteriumflaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in mungbean seeds. Letters in Applied Microbiology16:269-273
Tegli S, Sereni A, Surico G, 2002. PCR-based assay for the detection of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in bean seeds. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 35:331-337
Arcila MJ,Trujillo G, 1990. Identification of phytopathogenic bacteria in cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. subsp. unguiculata). Agromonía Tropical (Maracay), 40:193-203
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
OEPP/EPPO Global Database - European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
EFSA Panel on Plant Health (EFSA PLH Panel), Jeger, M., Bragard, C., Caffier, D., Candresse, T., Chatzivassiliou, E., ... & Caffier, D. (2018). Pest categorisation of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens. Efsa Journal, 16(5), e05299.
Osdaghi, E., Young, A. J., & Harveson, R. M. (2020). Bacterial wilt of dry beans caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens: A new threat from an old enemy. Molecular Plant Pathology, 21(5), 605–621.
Calzolari A, Cavanni P and Ponti I, 1987. Bacterial and fungus diseases of soyabean. Informatore Fitopatologico, 37:7-12
United Stated Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Protection Service National Seed Health System (USDA-APHIS NSHS) www.seedhealth.org
Maringoni, A.C. and Camara, R.C. (2006). Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens detection in bean seeds using a semi-selective culture medium. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology 37(4):451-455
Soares RM, Fantinato GGP, Darben LM, Marcelino-Guimarães FC, Seixas CDS, Carneiro GEde S, 2013. First report of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens on soybean in Brazil. Tropical Plant Pathology, 38(5):452-454.
Tegli, S. (2011). Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens. BULLETIN OEPP, 41, 320-328.
Maringoni, A. C., & Camara, R. D. C. (2006). Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens detection in bean seeds using a semi-selective culture medium. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 37, 451-455.
Cowpea severe mosaic virus
virus
Cowpea severe mosaic comovirus, Puerto Rico cowpea mosaic virus
Africa: Senegal; Asia: Pakistan; North America: Cuba, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, USA; South America: Brazil, Peru.
Rica, Venezuela, Surinam, Brazil, Peru
AR, IL
China
2025-09-22
Cowpea severe mosaic virus primarily infects cowpea and causes severe mosaic patterns, leaf deformation, stunting, and distorted pods. The virus is mainly transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner, but can also spread mechanically through contaminated tools or handling, and occasionally via infected seeds (in cowpea).
Main: soybean, common bean, mung bean, cowpea
Yes
CPSMV0-3, CPSMV0-5, CPSMV0-6, CABI CPC, DPV WEB, CPSMV0-7, CPSMV0-8, CPSMV0-9
Cowpea severe mosaic virus is primarily transmitted by aphids and can also be spread mechanically through contaminated tools or handling. Seed transmission occurs at a low rate and can serve as an initial source of infection in the field.
CPSMV0-3, CPSMV0-5, CPSMV0-6, CABI CPC, DPV WEB, CPSMV0-7, CPSMV0-8, CPSMV0-9
Bioassay, ELISA
CPSMV0-7
Tests have not been standardized.
Biological, Chemical, and Cultural
Use resistant cowpea varieties, manage aphid vectors, practice sanitation and rogueing, and plant virus-free seeds to reduce spread and yield loss.
Dale, W. T. 1949. OBSERVATIONS ON A VIRUS DISEASE OF COWPEA IN TRINIDAD. Annals of Applied Biology, 36: 327–333
Shepherd, RJ. 1954. Properties of a mosaic virus of cowpen and its relationship to the bean pod mottle virus. Phytopathology 54:466-473
Tolin, S.A. 2015. Cowpea Severe Mosaic Virus, In, Compendium of Soybean Diseases and Pests, fifth ed. Eds; Hartman, Rupe, Sikora, Domier, Davis and Steffey. APS Press, St. Paul, MN
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Description of Plant Viruses ; http://dpvweb.net/dpv/
Gillaspie, A.G. Jr., Hopkins, M.S., Pinnow, D.L. and Hampton, R.O. (1995). Seedborne viruses in preintroduction cowpea seed lots and establishment of virus-free accessions. Plant disease 79(4): 388-391.
Booker, H. M., Umaharan, P., & McDavid, C. R. (2005). Effect of Cowpea severe mosaic virus on crop growth characteristics and yield of cowpea. Plant Disease, 89(5), 515-520.
Gilmer, R. M., & Whitney, W. K. (1974). Transmission of Cowpea Severe Mosaic Virus by Seeds. Phytopathology, 64(7), 1055–1056.
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