Begomovirus solanumpallidiguyanense

Pathogen and disease type. Begomovirus solanumpallidiguyanense is a member of the Geminiviridae family. It is a viral disease characterized by a circular single-stranded DNA genome. The virus causes systemic infections in host plants, significantly altering physiological processes and hindering the normal development of infected crops.

Host range. This virus primarily affects plants within the Solanaceae family, including economically important crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Certain wild species of the genus Solanum serve as natural reservoirs for the virus, facilitating its survival in the environment between planting seasons.

Symptoms and signs. Typical symptoms include severe leaf curling, yellow mosaic patterns, and intense chlorosis. Infected plants often show signs of stunting and bushy growth due to shortened internodes. Fruits on affected plants may be undersized, malformed, or absent, directly impacting total yield quality and quantity.

Conditions for development and severity. The virus is transmitted in a circulative, persistent manner by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Transmission occurs when the vector feeds on infected plant sap. The disease severity is closely linked to the population density of whiteflies, which thrives in warm, dry conditions, making outbreaks more frequent during peak growing seasons.

Control and prevention measures. Effective management requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach centered on vector control. Key strategies include:

• Applying systemic insecticides to manage whitefly populations.
• Using fine-mesh insect-proof netting in greenhouses.
• Removing weed hosts that harbor both the virus and the vector.
• Utilizing resistant or tolerant crop varieties where available.
• Maintaining strict field hygiene to prevent the spread of infected plant materials.