Vol. 9, Special Issue 10, Part C (2025)

Urdbean (Vigna mungo L.) is a nutritionally important pulse crop widely cultivated in India, valued for its high protein content and agronomic benefits such as nitrogen fixation and drought tolerance. However, its productivity is significantly affected by Urdbean Leaf Crinkle Virus (ULCV), a destructive pathogen causing leaf distortion, stunted growth, and severe yield losses. While ULCV is known to be transmitted by insect vectors and mechanical means, seed transmission poses a critical challenge to disease management due to its potential to initiate early infection and bypass vector control strategies. In this study, the seed-borne nature of ULCV was evaluated under controlled glasshouse conditions using seeds collected from field-infected urdbean plants. Of the 30 seeds sown, 18 seedlings (60%) developed characteristic ULCV symptoms, including puckering, curling, and crinkling of leaves, within two weeks of germination. The remaining 12 seedlings (40%) remained symptom-free throughout the observation period. Mechanical sap inoculation of healthy plants confirmed viral origin, as typical symptoms appeared within 7-10 days post-inoculation. These findings affirm the seed transmissibility of ULCV and highlight the need for rigorous seed health testing, virus-free seed production, and early diagnostic strategies. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of ULCV epidemiology and supports the development of integrated disease management approaches to safeguard urdbean cultivation and ensure sustainable pulse production.