Jacquemontia vein-clearing begomovirus

Begomovirus jacquemontiavenae is a plant pathogen belonging to the Begomovirus genus within the Geminiviridae family. As a viral agent, it utilizes a single-stranded circular DNA genome to replicate within host cells. The infection is systemic, meaning that once the virus enters the plant, it travels through the vascular system, impacting the overall growth and physiological integrity of the host.

The primary hosts for this virus are plant species within the Jacquemontia genus, which are members of the Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory) family. These plants are often found in tropical environments, and the virus can significantly impact their growth performance and survival rate, particularly in regions where the virus pressure is consistently high.

Diagnostic symptoms of this viral infection include vein clearing, yellowing, and distinct mosaic patterns on leaves. In many cases, infected plants exhibit severe stunting, leaf curling, and structural distortions. These physiological changes limit the photosynthetic capacity of the plants, ultimately resulting in reduced vigor and poor development of reproductive tissues.

The transmission mechanism of Begomovirus jacquemontiavenae is strictly vector-dependent, with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci serving as the primary carrier. The virus is acquired by the insect during feeding and transmitted to healthy plants. The spread of the disease is highly correlated with the environmental conditions that favor whitefly population explosions, such as high temperatures and dry spells.

Management and preventative strategies are essential to minimize crop losses and include:

• implementing integrated pest management (IPM) to control whitefly populations using biological and chemical means;
• removing infected plant material from the field immediately upon identification;
• eliminating weeds that serve as alternative virus reservoirs;
• using certified disease-free seeds or seedlings;
• applying reflective mulches to deter insect vectors from landing on the host crops.