Tomato golden mosaic virus

Begomovirus solanumaraguaense is a plant pathogen belonging to the Geminiviridae family. As a typical begomovirus, it possesses a circular single-stranded DNA genome and causes significant systemic disease in host plants, leading to major physiological disruptions and metabolic changes within the plant tissues.

The primary host range of this virus includes essential Solanaceous crops, specifically tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. The pathogen is highly opportunistic and frequently utilizes local weed species within the Solanaceae family as overwintering hosts, which allows the virus to persist in the ecosystem throughout the year.

Field symptoms are quite distinctive, manifesting as severe leaf chlorosis, yellow mosaic patterns, and upward leaf curling. Infected plants frequently exhibit stunted growth, reduced internode length, and abnormal flower development, which subsequently leads to poor fruit set and significant commercial yield losses.

The virus is exclusively transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci in a circulative, non-propagative manner. Transmission is most rapid in warm, humid climates that favor the rapid reproduction of the insect vector. Once the whitefly acquires the virus, it remains capable of transmitting the pathogen for the rest of its lifespan, creating continuous cycles of infection.

Management of this virus is challenging due to its viral nature, requiring an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. Key strategies include the exclusion of whiteflies using insect-proof netting in greenhouses, the use of systemic insecticides to reduce vector populations, and the implementation of strict sanitation practices to eliminate reservoir weeds from the vicinity of production areas.