Tomato and solanaceous begomovirus

Begomovirus solanumargentinaense is a plant viral pathogen belonging to the Geminiviridae family. It represents a significant threat to global agriculture, particularly in regions where solanaceous crops are grown, as it interferes with plant development and causes severe physiological stress.

The primary host range of this virus includes plants within the Solanaceae family, with tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) being the most susceptible. The virus invades the phloem of the host, disrupting nutrient translocation and causing systemic infections that persist throughout the plant's life cycle.

Common symptoms associated with this infection include yellow mosaic patterns on foliage, leaf curling, and severe stunting. Infected plants often produce fewer fruits, which are frequently malformed, significantly reducing both the quantity and the commercial quality of the harvest.

Transmission occurs through the whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci. The insect acquires the virus while feeding on infected sap and transmits it to healthy plants during subsequent feeding bouts. Warm weather conditions accelerate whitefly reproduction, creating ideal environments for rapid viral outbreaks within fields.

Effective disease management strategies are essential for crop protection:

• Implement strict whitefly control using chemical and biological insecticides.
• Deploy reflective mulches to deter the landing of whiteflies on crops.
• Remove and destroy symptomatic plants immediately to eliminate viral sources.
• Maintain weed-free buffer zones to prevent host bridging.
• Utilize integrated pest management (IPM) practices to monitor vector populations throughout the season.