Begomovirus passifloraseveri

Causal agent and disease type. Begomovirus passifloraseveri is a member of the Geminiviridae family, characterized by a circular single-stranded DNA genome. It is a plant virus that causes systemic infections, disrupting the host's physiological functions and vegetative growth. The virus is primarily transmitted by insect vectors in a semi-persistent manner.

Affected crops. The virus predominantly infects various cultivars of Passiflora edulis (passion fruit). Due to the nature of the virus, it can also infect wild relatives of the Passifloraceae family, which serve as reservoirs for the pathogen. These reservoirs make it difficult to completely eradicate the virus from commercial growing regions.

Symptoms and signs. Typical clinical signs include mosaic patterns, severe leaf curling, stunting of shoots, and distortion of young leaves. In advanced stages of infection, plants show reduced internode length and chlorotic patches on the foliage. The reproductive capacity of the plant is severely impaired, often resulting in flower abortion and poor fruit set.

Development and transmission. The primary vector for the transmission of this virus is the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Transmission occurs during the feeding process when the vector acquires the virus from infected tissues and inoculates healthy plants. Favorable conditions for whitefly development, such as high temperatures and humidity, directly correlate with an increased incidence of the disease.

Harmfulness and control measures. This disease is highly destructive, capable of reducing orchard productivity by nearly 100% in severe cases. Strategic control relies on integrated pest management (IPM) practices:

• Rigorous monitoring and suppression of whitefly populations using targeted insecticides.
• Deployment of virus-free nursery stock to ensure initial crop health.
• Prompt roguing of symptomatic plants to eliminate virus reservoirs.
• Use of physical barriers such as insect-proof netting in greenhouse environments.