Legumes are very important food crops widely cultivated for their high qual
ity proteins, vitamins and oils. They are consumed by humans and livestock,
and incorporated as secondary crops in most farming systems for sustenance
and maintenance of soil structure and fertility.
Legumes suffer from a complex of pests and are particularly susceptible to
virus diseases. The diseases vary from one leguminous crop to another, and
from location to location. This paper discusses the status of research on v
iruses of the most important leguminous crops in Nigeria. Areas which need
further research are also discussed. (C) 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. Al
l rights reserved.