Physiological response of yellow vein mosaic virus-infected bhendi [Abelmoschus esculentus] leaves

The effect of okra yellow vein mosaic virus infection on PS II efficiency and thylakoid membrane protein changes in field-grown bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus) leaves was studied. The degree of virus infection was determined by means of the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm). Changes in photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins, nitrate reductase, photosynthetic activities and thylakoid membrane proteins were investigated. Okra yellow vein mosaic virus infection resulted in the reduction of photosynthetic pigments, soluble proteins, ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity and nitrate reductase activity. Virus infection caused marked inhibition of PS II activity. The artificial electron donors, diphenyl carbazide and hydroxylamine significantly restored the loss of PS II activity in infected leaves. The marked loss of PS II activity in infected leaves may be due to the loss of 47, 33, 28–25, 17 and 15 kDa polypeptides. It is concluded that the yellow vein mosaic virus infection inactivates the donor side of PS II.