Sweet potato leaf curl virus

Sweet potato leaf curl virus (Begomovirus ipomoeachinaense) is a viral pathogen classified within the Begomovirus genus of the Geminiviridae family. It primarily impacts crops within the Convolvulaceae family, causing significant economic losses in sweet potato production globally.

The primary host for this pathogen is the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). The virus interferes with the host's physiological processes, causing severe developmental issues that inhibit the plant's ability to produce healthy, marketable storage roots.

Symptoms of the infection include pronounced upward curling and crumpling of the leaves, accompanied by interveinal chlorosis. Infected plants typically exhibit stunting and a reduction in overall leaf size, which leads to a substantial decline in canopy density and photosynthetic efficiency.

Transmission of the virus is exclusively mediated by the whitefly, specifically Bemisia tabaci. The virus spreads rapidly through fields when environmental conditions support large populations of whiteflies, allowing them to carry the virus from infected to healthy plant tissues efficiently.

Effective disease management necessitates an integrated approach focused on controlling the vector population and ensuring the health of initial planting stock. Key preventive and control measures include:

• Sourcing disease-free propagules from certified nurseries.
• Implementing regular monitoring and scouting for whitefly infestations.
• Applying systemic insecticides to minimize the insect vector population.
• Promptly rogueing and disposing of symptomatic plants to reduce the local inoculum source.
• Maintaining a weed-free environment to eliminate alternative host plants for the virus.