German researchers discover virus that infects chickpeas grown in the country

A research team led by plant virus expert Dr. Björn Krentz from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH in Braunschweig, Germany, examined chickpeas grown in Germany for plant virus infections, writes Research-in-Germany. The research team conducted a two-year study of various chickpea fields in Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg. They were the first in Germany to detect pea yellow necrosis virus (PNYDV) in chickpeas – a virus that is already known to infect other legumes, such as peas, where it can cause significant yield losses. Infected chickpea plants showed symptoms such as yellowing of the leaves and stunted growth. Of particular concern was the high frequency of multiple infections, where plants were infected with several viruses at once. “Our results indicate that chickpeas in Germany are under significant infection pressure, especially if grown near pea fields, which may also harbor these viruses. These ...