Ipomoea leaf curl Shandong virus

Begomovirus ipomoeashandongense is a viral plant pathogen belonging to the Geminiviridae family. It is a persistent, whitefly-transmitted virus that poses a significant challenge to the cultivation of plants within the Convolvulaceae family, particularly in regions with warm climates.

The primary agricultural crop affected by this virus is the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Infections can lead to substantial yield losses, as the virus interferes with the host plant's metabolic functions, leading to stunted growth and reduced tuber quality.

Common symptoms include severe leaf curling, distortion, chlorosis, and mosaic patterns on the foliage. In advanced stages of infection, the overall vigor of the plant is significantly compromised, leading to poor biomass accumulation and inefficient nutrient transport to the roots.

The virus is primarily vectored by the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The epidemiology of the disease is closely tied to the lifecycle and population density of the whitefly. Environmental factors that favor the proliferation of whiteflies, such as high temperatures and drought, usually correlate with increased incidence of the virus.

Effective management requires an integrated approach. Farmers should prioritize the use of virus-free cuttings, implement rigorous whitefly control programs using appropriate pesticides, and maintain field sanitation. Removing alternative weed hosts from the vicinity of the fields is crucial to disrupting the transmission cycle of the begomovirus.