Borah, B.K.Rajkhowa, Sushmita2021-09-302021-09-302018-01https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810176465Bhut Jolokia (CapsicumchinenseJacq.) is known as one of the hottest chilli in the world. It is cultivated as a major cash crop in Assam and other northeastern states, mostly Manipur and Nagaland. In the international market Bhut Jolokia has high value due to its high Capsicin content which has various important properties like anti-inflamatory, anti-diabetic, anticancerous, pain relief, gastro intestinal disorder etc. The fruit has got multiple uses in medicines, biological warfare,elephant repelling, pickles and culinary purposes. Around 1400- 1500 tonnes of the fruits are exported annually from Assam. However,the productivity of the crop is hindered due to attack ofvarious diseases and pests. Viruses have been reported to be one of the major factors that affect Bhut Jolokia plants. Both RNA viruses (Potyvirus, Cucumovirus, Tospovirus) and DNA viruses (Geminivirus) incidence have been reported that infect Bhut Jolokia in Assam. Among the DNA viruses chilli leaf curl virus (ChLCV) and tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) have been reported to infect Bhut Jolokia which produces symptoms of leaf curling, mosaic symptoms, stunting growth and vein clearing. Some geminivirus also contains a satellite genome which functions as silencing suppressors and in symptom determinant. As such, to determine the genome sequence of the DNA virus(es) infecting the Bhut Jolokia plants with leaf curl disease, both universal and specific primers were used to detect the virus(es) associated with leaf curl disease. Partial sequences were obtained from ChLCV-specific primers designed from available sequences. The sequences were obtained from samples collected of AAU experimental farm, Lichubari and Teok, Jorhat. Multiple sequence alignment followed by phylogenetic analysis of the four sequences showed 98% identity with the chilli leaf curl isolate of Oman (Accession No.JN604500.1). The phylogeny could not establish a geographical grouping, possibly because of short length of the sequences. Meanwhile, the nucleotide similarity search for the sequences obtained from the universal primer and ToLCV specific primers did not amplify any viral sequence. Satellite-specific primers were used for detection of satellite genomes (both alpha-satellite and beta-satellite) possibly associated with the leaf curl disease of Bhut Jolokia. However, presence of any associated satellite could not be determined. Therefore, further works will be needed in these regards.EnglishThesis