Biological Decline of Solanum nigrum L. Due to Tobacco Mosaic Tobamovirus (TMV) Infection I. Growth and Nutrient Uptake

The aim of our study was to examine the effect of tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV) infection on the growth and nutrient content of S. nigrum leaves. TMV infection significantly reduced the height, the fresh and dry weight of both the shoots and roots. The height of the shoots was reduced by 53% as compared to control. Reduction in fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots due to virus infection varied between 78 and 82%. There was no significant difference in the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) content of the healthy and virus infected leaves of S. nigrum. The sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) content of the leaves significantly reduced due to virus infection. Opposite effect was observed in case of potassium (K) content, which were considerably enhanced in the TMV infected leaves