Ipomoea yellow mosaic virus

Ipomoea yellow mosaic virus (IYMV) is a significant plant pathogen classified under the Begomovirus genus. This virus causes systemic infections in its host plants, interfering with essential physiological functions and significantly disrupting plant development. It is characterized by its reliance on insect vectors for transmission.

The primary crop affected by this virus is the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). However, its host range is not limited to crops; various wild species within the Convolvulaceae family can serve as reservoirs, allowing the virus to persist in the environment even when primary crops are not present.

Key symptoms include the development of vivid yellow patches or mosaic-like patterns on leaves, which often result in leaf curling or stunting of the entire plant. Because the virus disrupts nutrient translocation, infected plants usually exhibit reduced biomass, resulting in stunted root development and diminished yield quality.

The virus is transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in a semi-persistent manner. Environmental conditions such as warm temperatures and low rainfall create an ideal habitat for whitefly proliferation, which directly correlates with the rapid spread of the virus within and between agricultural fields.

Management requires an integrated approach to be effective. Strategies involve the implementation of rigorous phytosanitary measures, including the selection of virus-free planting stock, the management of weed hosts that harbor the pathogen, and the application of pest control strategies to keep whitefly populations below the economic injury level.