Chickpea dwarf disease

Mastrevirus cicerparvi is a viral pathogen known to cause dwarf disease in chickpeas (Cicer arietinum). As a member of the Geminiviridae family, this virus possesses a circular single-stranded DNA genome. It interferes with the hormonal balance and metabolic functions of the host plant, severely restricting its growth potential and physiological capacity.

The disease primarily impacts chickpea production, though other legumes may occasionally harbor the virus. It is a major constraint in regions where environmental conditions favor the proliferation of its primary insect vector. Because the virus causes systemic infection, once a plant is colonized, the pathogen spreads through the phloem to all plant parts.

Symptoms of Mastrevirus cicerparvi infection include extreme dwarfing, stunted internodes, and leaf chlorosis. Affected plants often exhibit a bushy appearance due to excessive, non-productive branching. Reproductive development is severely hampered, resulting in little to no pod formation, which leads to significant economic losses for farmers worldwide.

Transmission occurs exclusively via leafhoppers, which act as biological vectors. The insect acquires the virus while feeding on infected plant tissues and subsequently transmits it to healthy plants during subsequent feeding sessions. The spread of the virus is highly dependent on the population density of these vectors and the availability of alternative host weeds during the off-season.

Management of chickpea dwarf disease relies heavily on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This includes the use of certified, virus-free seeds and the implementation of spatial isolation from known infected areas. Controlling leafhopper populations through timely insecticide applications and removing potential weed reservoirs are the most effective preventive measures to safeguard chickpea yields.