Solanaceous begomovirus

The causative agent of this disease is Begomovirus solanumjoydebpurense, a member of the Geminiviridae family. It is a DNA virus that systemically infects plants within the Solanaceae family, disrupting their vascular transport and physiological development. As a pathogen, it poses a significant threat to global agriculture, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates.

The disease primarily targets commercially important crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Infections can occur at any growth stage, but early-stage infestations are the most devastating. If left unmanaged, the virus can lead to complete yield failure, rendering the produce unmarketable and causing substantial financial losses for growers.

Symptoms of the infection typically include severe leaf curling, stunting of the plant, and chlorosis (yellowing). Leaves often exhibit a crinkled or puckered texture, and internodes become shortened, leading to a bushy appearance. Infected plants often struggle to flower, and any fruits produced are frequently deformed, undersized, and lack the nutritional quality expected by the market.

The transmission of this virus is strictly dependent on the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The insect acquires the virus while feeding on infected sap and transmits it to healthy plants during subsequent feeding sessions. The spread is highly climate-dependent; warm temperatures promote both the rapid reproduction of the whitefly vector and the efficient transmission of the viral particles between plants.

Management strategies focus on breaking the transmission cycle and strengthening host resilience:

• Planting certified resistant or tolerant cultivars to minimize susceptibility.
• Implementing strict vector management using insecticides and biological controls to reduce whitefly populations.
• Managing weeds that serve as alternative reservoirs for the virus.
• Utilizing physical barriers like fine-mesh screens in greenhouses to exclude insect vectors.
• Promptly roguing and destroying symptomatic plants to prevent further spread within the field.