Sorghum mosaic

Pathogen and disease type: This disease is caused by Potyvirus sorghitessellati, a member of the Potyviridae family. It is a systemic plant viral infection that disrupts cellular physiological processes and interferes with the plant's nutrient transport system.

Host plants: The primary hosts are various species and hybrids of sorghum, including grain sorghum, sweet sorghum, and sudangrass. Wild grasses and certain weeds often serve as long-term environmental reservoirs for the virus, keeping it present in the agricultural ecosystem.

Symptoms and signs: The visual hallmark of the infection is a mosaic pattern on the leaves, characterized by light and dark green mottled patches or a checkered appearance. Affected plants frequently exhibit stunted growth, reduced tillering, and poor development of the flowering heads, leading to decreased biomass.

Development and spread: The virus is primarily transmitted by insect vectors, most notably various aphid species. The transmission is non-persistent, meaning aphids acquire the virus while feeding on infected plants and can transmit it almost immediately to healthy plants, facilitating rapid outbreaks throughout a field.

Harmfulness and control measures: The economic impact involves substantial reductions in yield and grain quality. Since there are no chemical cures for viral plant infections, management strategy relies on strict preventive measures:

• planting resistant varieties;
• managing weed populations surrounding the fields;
• monitoring and controlling aphid populations to break the infection chain.