Begomovirus cleomecrispi

Begomovirus cleomecrispi is a phytopathogenic virus belonging to the family Geminiviridae, genus Begomovirus. As an obligate parasite, it disrupts the host plant's internal regulatory mechanisms, causing systemic infection that affects the plant's overall physiology and development.

The virus primarily affects plant species within the Capparaceae family, notably Cleome crispa. Its host range may extend to other related crops in areas where the vector populations are stable and the environmental conditions favor viral replication and persistence.

Infected plants typically display symptoms such as leaf mosaic patterns, yellowing (chlorosis), severe curling, and stunting. The interference with plant growth often leads to reduced biomass and impaired reproductive performance, making it a concern for both ornamental growers and botanical collections.

The disease spread is primarily mediated by the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), which acts as a vector. The virus is acquired by the insect during feeding and transmitted to healthy plants, facilitating rapid outbreaks, especially in environments with high humidity and temperature profiles.

Effective management strategies require a multi-faceted approach. Key steps include maintaining strict control over whitefly populations using IPM (Integrated Pest Management) techniques, ensuring clean planting material, and removing symptomatic plants to reduce the local inoculum source. Additionally, utilizing reflective mulches and fine-mesh netting can effectively reduce vector-plant interactions.