Sorghum furovirus

Sorghum furovirus (Furovirus sorghi) is a viral pathogen that significantly impacts the health and yield of sorghum and related grass crops. As a member of the Furovirus genus, this pathogen is characterized by its reliance on soil-borne vectors, which makes it a persistent threat in agricultural lands where the virus has established itself.

The virus primarily affects sorghum species, which are critical crops for grain and forage production. In addition to cultivated sorghum, various wild grass species can act as alternative hosts, enabling the virus to survive in a field environment even when the primary crop is not present. This biological feature makes long-term field management particularly challenging.

Diagnostic symptoms of a Furovirus sorghi infection include distinct mosaic patterns on leaves, interveinal chlorosis, and general stunting of the plant architecture. Because the virus disrupts normal metabolic and physiological processes, infected plants fail to reach their full biomass potential. Consequently, farmers often observe reduced panicle size and significant kernel weight loss.

Transmission of the virus is strictly linked to the presence of the soil-borne protist Polymyxa graminis. This organism acts as a vector, carrying the virus within its resting spores, which can remain viable in the soil for several years. Infection typically occurs when zoospores penetrate the root systems of the host plants, especially in fields with poor drainage or high soil moisture content.

Controlling this virus requires an integrated management strategy, as there are no direct chemical treatments available for established viral infections. Effective prevention measures include:

• Prioritizing the planting of genetically resistant or tolerant sorghum varieties.
• Implementing long-term crop rotation to reduce the inoculum levels of Polymyxa graminis.
• Improving field drainage to minimize favorable conditions for vector activity.
• Vigilant weed control to eliminate alternative hosts within and around the field margins.