Genetic Management of Virus Diseases in Peanut

Peanut, also known as groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a major oilseed crop in the world. About 31 viruses representing 14 genera are reported to naturally infe.ct peanut in different parts of the world, although only a few of these are of economic importance. These include groundnutrosette disease in Africa, tomato spotted wilt-disease in the United States, peanut bud necrosis disease in south Asia, and peanut stripe virus disease in east and southeast Asia. Cucumber mosaic virus disease in China and Argentina and peanut stem necrosis disease in certain -pockets in southern India are also economically important. Host plant resistance provides the most effective and economic option to manage virus diseases. However, for many virus diseases, effective resistance gene(s) in cultivated peanut have not been identified. With a few exceptions, the virus resistance breeding work has received little attention in peanut improvement programs. Transgenic resistance offers another option in virus resistance breeding. This review focuses on the status of genetic resistance to various economically important groundnut viruses and'use of transgenic-technology for the improvement of virus resistance.