Solanum laosense begomovirus

Solanum laosense begomovirus is a significant viral pathogen classified within the Begomovirus genus of the Geminiviridae family. The virus relies on a circular single-stranded DNA genome and poses a substantial threat to agricultural productivity due to its efficient transmission mechanisms and broad host range among dicotyledonous plants.

This virus primarily infects members of the Solanaceae family, with major economic impacts observed in tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. The infection is systemic, spreading throughout the plant tissue and causing severe physiological disruptions that halt normal development.

Symptoms often manifest as pronounced leaf mosaic patterns, severe curling, yellowing (chlorosis), and stunting of the entire plant. Affected crops typically exhibit reduced fruit set and poor fruit quality, rendering the harvest unmarketable and causing significant economic losses for producers.

The transmission of this virus is primarily mediated by the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), which acquires the virus through feeding and transmits it to healthy plants. Factors such as high humidity and elevated temperatures facilitate rapid multiplication of the vector, thereby accelerating the spread of the virus within greenhouses and open fields.

Management and prevention strategies focus on integrated pest management (IPM) to control whitefly populations. Key practices include:

• Utilizing virus-free seedlings from certified nurseries.
• Applying systemic insecticides to minimize vector impact.
• Implementing strict weed control to eliminate alternative hosts.
• Removing and destroying infected plants to reduce inoculum sources.