Impact of Telfairia Mosaic virus on Medicinal and Economic Potentials of Amaranthus viridis L

Aims: To study the impact of Telfairia mosaic virus on the Medicinal and Economic Potentials of Amaranthus viridis.

Study Design: The research was carried out in a randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria between March and June, 2017.

Methodology: Seeds of A. viridis obtained were raised in a nursery, on germination inoculated with TeMV and impact on medicinal and economic values investigated.

Results: Results showed negative impact of TeMV with reductions in medicinal components in plant parts of A. viridis studied. The virus caused severe reduction in medicinal pigments of 61.4% for (chlorophyll a), 42.0% (chlorophyll b), 35.2% (ratio of chlorophyll a/b) and 56.6% (carotenoids). Phytochemicals of A. viridis; alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and polyphenols were significantly (P=0.05) decreased by TeMV. Decrease in leaf flavonoids was (60.0%), stem (51.3%) and root (34.8%). The virus engendered reduction in ash, fibre, carbohydrate and moisture with increase in protein. Effect on lipid was not significant. Leaf carbohydrate content had percentage reduction of (58.9%), stem (54.7%) and root (39.0%). Protein was positively impacted on by TeMV with increase of -18.4% (leaf), -10.5% (stem) and 10.4% (root).

Conclusion: The presence of medicinal nutrients in plant parts of A. viridis affirmed its whole plant usage in traditional medical practice. Telfairia mosaic virus decreased the medicinal (photosynthetic pigments, phytochemicals and proximate) nutrients of A. viridis affecting its therapeutic efficiency.