Tomato leaf curl virus

Begomovirus bemisiaprimi is a dangerous plant pathogen belonging to the Begomovirus genus that causes systemic viral diseases. The causative agent is a single-stranded DNA virus that affects the vascular system of the host plant. The disease is closely linked to the lifecycle of insect vectors, which ensure the circulation of the virus in agroecosystems.

The primary crops susceptible to infection include members of the Solanaceae family, specifically tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. The virus can also infect certain legume species and various weeds, which act as primary reservoirs of infection during the off-season.

The main symptoms of infection include severe leaf deformation and curling of the apical leaves, stunted growth of shoots, chlorosis, and yellowing of the leaf blade. The plants appear suppressed with shortened internodes, leading to the formation of a characteristic "rosette" appearance in the foliage.

Development and rapid spread of the virus are favored by high temperatures and arid conditions, which are ideal for the reproduction of the primary vector, the tobacco whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The pest transmits the virus persistently, maintaining the ability to infect healthy plants throughout its entire lifecycle.

The economic impact of this disease is significant due to severe yield losses caused by the disruption of photosynthetic processes and physiological exhaustion of the plants. In cases of epiphytotics, up to 80-100% of the crop can be lost. To control the spread, a comprehensive management strategy is recommended:

• Usage of certified, disease-free planting material.
• Systematic monitoring of whitefly populations in greenhouses and fields.
• Application of broad-spectrum insecticides to control the vector population.
• Removal of weeds around production areas.
• Adherence to crop rotation and spatial isolation between susceptible crops.