Host range and transmission of Tobacco streak virus (TSV) causing cotton mosaic disease

Tobacco streak virus (TSV) causing cotton mosaic disease was found to be transmissible by mechanical means specially when extracts were made in neutral phosphate buffer 0.02M containing reducing agent like 2-Mercaptoethanol.The disease was found to be transmitted by Thrips palmi (cotton thrips) and Thrips tobacci (onion thrips). TSV was detected in sample showing mosaic symptoms. TSV was readily grafted transmissible but not transmissible by mechanical means, no evidence of its transmission through seed or by thrips was obtained. About 19 plant species belonging to five different families viz.malvaceae, chenopodiaceae, compositeae, leguminoceae and solanaceae were tested for host range and virus isolate causing cotton mosaic disease.