Golden mosaic

Golden mosaic is a significant viral disease triggered by the pathogen Aureusvirus aurei. As a systemic plant pathogen, it infiltrates the vascular system, effectively disrupting photosynthetic pathways and altering the hormonal balance of the plant, which leads to metabolic decline.

The virus has a wide host range, primarily targeting vegetable crops and various ornamental species. It poses a substantial threat to agricultural productivity, especially among Solanaceae family members, where the presence of the pathogen often results in total yield loss if early containment measures are not implemented.

The visual symptoms of this infection are characterized by distinct chlorotic lesions that exhibit a golden or bright yellow mosaic-like pattern. Affected plants often suffer from stunted internodes, crinkling or curling of the leaves, and significantly reduced flower and fruit development, leading to weak vegetative growth.

The transmission of Aureusvirus aurei is predominantly mediated by insect vectors, including whiteflies and aphids, which facilitate the spread of the virus during feeding. Environmental factors such as high humidity and optimal temperatures promote higher population densities of these insects, thereby accelerating the horizontal transmission of the virus across the crop field.

Management of golden mosaic necessitates an integrated pest and disease management approach. Primary strategies include the use of virus-free planting materials, maintaining rigorous weed control to eliminate alternative hosts, and deploying systematic insecticide applications to suppress vector populations. Crop rotation and the implementation of resistant cultivars remain the most reliable long-term solutions for sustainable control.