• Dr.P.Swarnalatha
• Dr.M.sunil kumar

Total 163 sunflower plants samples showing leaf curling, phyllody and mixed infections of both were collected from different regions of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh state in India. The total DNA extracted from these sunflower samples was subjected to nested PCR using 16SrRNA primers and PCR with generic begomovirus specific primers. 11/163 sunflower samples showed positive amplification begomovirus and phytoplasma by PCR. No PCR products were observed for asymptomatic plants. The phytoplasma identified as a member of Peanut witches-broom phytoplasma16SrII (nt identity of 97.1%) and the virus is a member of previously described monopartite begomovirus which is closely related to Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV, nt identity of 99%) infecting sunflower in India respectively. Further the co-infection of virus and phytoplasma in eleven sunflower samples was successfully detected by multiplex PCR, which is more rapid and sensitive and specific detection of the phytoplasma and virus.

Sunflower, mixed infection, phytoplasma, begomovirus, Duplex PCR, ToLCKV

"Molecular detection and characterization of leaf curl and phyllody associated with sunflower in Andhra Pradesh.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 1, page no.526-536, January-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1801101.pdf

"Molecular detection and characterization of leaf curl and phyllody associated with sunflower in Andhra Pradesh.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 1, page no. pp526-536, January-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1801101.pdf