Immunological and molecular diagnostic methods for detection of viruses infecting cowpea (Vigna unquiculata)

Cowpea viruses are difficult to identify using morphological criteria which can be time consuming, challenging, and require extensive knowledge in taxonomy. In order to improve the quality and quantity of the germplasms and to significantly reduce the infection and transmission of virus to different cultivars of cowpea, proper diagnosis and control is essential. The immuno-diagnostic and moleculardiagnostic methods have shown great potential as far as specificity and sensitivity are concerned and can generate accurate results rapidly. The aim of this overview is to discuss the various immunodiagnostic and molecular diagnostic methods such as enzymes linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunosorbent electron microscopy (ISEM), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nucleic acid hybridization, dot immunoblotting assay (DTBIA) found suitable for diagnosis of Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Cowpea mottle virus (CMeV) infecting cowpea. These techniques do not only provide information for epidemiological purposes, but also help to develop disease free stock of cowpeas. Therefore, these various techniques with symptoms and history are of immense value to diagnose cowpea viruses and are the cornerstone of the management of cowpea cultivars.