Begomovirus moralesi

Begomovirus moralesi is a serious viral plant pathogen belonging to the Geminiviridae family. These viruses are characterized by a circular, single-stranded DNA genome. The pathogen is known for its ability to cause systemic infections in susceptible hosts, leading to significant physiological stress and hindering normal plant development, which is a major concern for commercial agriculture.

The primary hosts of this virus are members of the Solanaceae family, with tomatoes and peppers being the most frequently impacted crops. The virus has a wide host range, including various weed species that thrive near agricultural fields. These weeds serve as latent reservoirs, allowing the virus to persist in the ecosystem even when the main cash crops are not actively growing.

Visible symptoms of infection typically include severe leaf curling, stunted plant growth, shortened internodes, and significant leaf chlorosis or mosaic patterns. The infection often leads to poor fruit set and deformed produce, which significantly lowers the marketability and overall economic value of the harvested yield in infected fields.

The virus is transmitted in a persistent, circulative manner by the whitefly complex, specifically Bemisia tabaci. When these insects feed on infected phloem tissue, they acquire the virus and can transmit it to healthy plants throughout their lifespan. Environmental conditions, such as high temperatures and dry weather, accelerate the spread of the virus by increasing whitefly populations and movement.

Management of Begomovirus moralesi focuses on excluding and suppressing the vector population:

• Implementing rigorous integrated pest management (IPM) to control whiteflies.
• Using insect-proof netting in greenhouse facilities.
• Maintaining a weed-free environment around production areas to eliminate reservoirs.
• Utilizing virus-resistant or tolerant crop cultivars where available.
• Sanitation practices, including the immediate removal and destruction of symptomatic plants.