Pecluvirus

Pecluvirus is a genus of plant-infecting viruses that contain a single-stranded RNA genome. These pathogens are known for causing severe systemic diseases in various agricultural crops, leading to significant physiological stress in plants and reduced yields. As a soil-borne virus, it presents a unique challenge for field management.

The virus primarily affects leguminous plants, with peanut being the most notable host, although it also impacts other crops like potatoes. Upon infection, the virus spreads through the plant's vascular system, causing metabolic disturbances that disrupt normal development and nutrient transport from the roots to the foliage.

Visible symptoms of Pecluvirus infection can be diverse depending on the host plant. Common indicators include:

• foliar chlorosis and distinct mosaic patterns;
• stunting of the entire plant or specific parts;
• shortening of internodes;
• malformation of leaves and pods.

The development and dissemination of the virus are heavily dependent on soil conditions and the presence of specific biological vectors, such as the plasmodiophorid fungus Polymyxa graminis. In moist soil environments, these fungal spores can carry the virus and infect the roots of susceptible plants during the germination phase.

Management strategies focus on long-term prevention due to the difficulty of eliminating the virus once established in the soil. Key agricultural practices include crop rotation with non-host species, the use of resistant or tolerant cultivars, and effective soil management to reduce the population of vectors. Early detection and rigorous phytosanitary monitoring are essential to prevent the spread of the disease to adjacent fields.