Cotton leaf curl virus (GZEV)

Begomovirus gossypigeziraense represents a group of whitefly-transmitted viruses that cause significant economic impact in cotton production. As a member of the Geminiviridae family, this pathogen utilizes a circular single-stranded DNA genome to replicate within the host plant cells, interfering with normal growth patterns and metabolic activities.

The primary host for this pathogen is the cotton plant (Gossypium species). The virus is geographically restricted to areas where the insect vector is prevalent throughout the year. It can also persist in alternative weed hosts, which often serve as primary sources of inoculum at the beginning of the planting season.

Symptoms of the infection typically include severe curling and crinkling of leaves, often accompanied by interveinal chlorosis and stunted shoot growth. Plants infected at an early stage usually remain dwarfed and exhibit poor fruit setting. These physiological distortions lead to reduced fiber quality and substantial yield loss.

The development and spread of the virus are entirely dependent on the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. The virus is acquired by the whitefly during feeding and transmitted to healthy plants. Warm, dry weather conditions provide the ideal environment for rapid multiplication of the vector population, facilitating fast transmission across the field.

Effective management requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach focusing on controlling the vector. This involves early-season insecticide application to reduce initial colonization, the use of certified healthy seeds, and strict adherence to crop-free periods to break the viral cycle. Removing infected plants and weeds surrounding the fields also helps limit the spread of the disease.