Mung bean yellow mosaic begomovirus

Begomovirus vignaradiatae is a viral plant pathogen belonging to the Begomovirus genus. This virus is characterized by a circular single-stranded DNA genome and is responsible for causing significant yield losses in susceptible legumes worldwide by disrupting physiological functions.

The primary host for this pathogen is the mung bean (Vigna radiata), although it can also infect various other legume species. Weed species within the Fabaceae family frequently serve as reservoirs, allowing the virus to persist in the environment even when main crops are not present.

Typical symptoms of infection include vivid yellow mosaic patterns, leaf chlorosis, leaf curling, and severe stunting of the plant. In many cases, infected plants fail to produce healthy pods, leading to significant economic losses for farmers due to reduced quality and quantity of the harvest.

The virus is primarily transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in a persistent, circulative manner. Once the insect acquires the virus by feeding on an infected plant, it remains infectious for a long period, facilitating the rapid spread of the disease within and between fields.

Effective management and prevention strategies include:

• Regular monitoring of whitefly populations.
• Application of appropriate insecticides to control the vector.
• Removal and destruction of symptomatic plants to reduce inoculum pressure.
• Implementation of crop rotation and spatial isolation.
• Use of certified, resistant or tolerant seed varieties.

Strategic prevention is essential because there are no curative treatments for infected plants once the virus has become systemic. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, focusing on vector population suppression, remain the most effective way to minimize the impact of this disease.