Solanum leaf curl begomovirus

Begomovirus solanumseychellesense is a viral pathogen classified within the Begomovirus genus of the Geminiviridae family. It serves as the causal agent of significant systemic diseases that affect plants of the Solanaceae family, leading to severe physiological disruptions and substantial economic losses in crop production.

The host range primarily includes economically important crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. The virus also persists in various wild solanaceous weed species, which act as crucial reservoirs, enabling the pathogen to survive between growing seasons and initiate new cycles of infection in fields.

Symptoms of the infection manifest as profound leaf curling, interveinal chlorosis, and stunting of the plant canopy. Infected foliage often displays a crinkled texture, and plants may exhibit excessive proliferation of shoots, resulting in a bushy appearance. Fruit set is often severely impacted, leading to fruit deformation and size reduction.

The transmission of this virus is strictly mediated by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The insect acquires the virus while feeding on infected sap and transmits it during subsequent feeding bouts on healthy host plants. The prevalence of the disease is highly correlated with whitefly population dynamics, which are in turn influenced by favorable climatic conditions such as high temperatures.

Effective management and prevention strategies include:

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) focusing on controlling whitefly populations through judicious insecticide use.
• Deployment of resistant or tolerant cultivars specifically bred for virus resistance.
• Sanitation practices, including the removal and destruction of symptomatic plants.
• Control of alternative weed hosts surrounding cultivation areas to break the disease cycle.
• Utilization of physical barriers, such as insect-proof netting in greenhouse environments.