Detection of Viruses Infecting Lettuce (<em>Lactuca sativa</em> L.) in the Derived Savanna of Nigeria and Influence on Proximate Composition

Abstract

A survey was accomplished in the derived savanna of Oyo State, Nigeria during 2019/2020 cropping season to evaluate the incidence and severity of viruses infecting Lettuce. Laboratory experiments were performed serologically to identify the infecting viruses and to verify possible variations in the proximate composition. A total of 100 symptomatic and asymptomatic lettuce leaves were collected from different fields across the study area. Fifty of the leaves which were representative of the locations were then subjected to Antigen Coated Plate (ACP) and Double Antigen Sandwich Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS ELISA) using specific polyclonal antisera against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), broad spectrum potyvirus, Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) and Lettuce virus X (LeVX). The 50 other samples were subjected to proximate analysis. The incidence ______________________________________