Indian cassava begomovirus

Indian cassava begomovirus (Begomovirus manihotisindianense) is a destructive plant virus belonging to the Geminiviridae family. It is a DNA virus that significantly impacts agricultural productivity in tropical regions, specifically affecting the development and yield of infected crops.

The primary host for this virus is cassava (Manihot esculenta), a vital subsistence crop in many parts of the world. The virus disrupts the normal physiological processes of the plant, leading to systemic infection that compromises the plant's structural integrity and its ability to produce storage roots.

Visible symptoms include mosaic patterns on leaves, yellowing (chlorosis), leaf curling, and severe stunting of the entire plant. These symptoms result in reduced leaf area for photosynthesis, which directly correlates with a drastic decrease in starch accumulation in the tubers, making the harvest economically unviable.

The transmission of this virus is primarily mediated by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The insect acquires the virus while feeding on infected sap and transmits it to healthy plants during subsequent feedings. The population density of whiteflies is a critical factor in the severity and rate of viral spread throughout a field.

Management strategies focus on integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to mitigate the damage. Key practices include the use of virus-free cuttings for planting, the implementation of crop rotation, the deployment of resistant cultivars, and the application of insecticides to control the whitefly vector populations during the early stages of crop growth.