Arabis mosaic virus

Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) is a significant plant pathogen belonging to the genus Nepovirus within the Secoviridae family. It is a widespread virus with a broad host range, causing severe physiological disruptions in numerous agricultural and horticultural crops. Its spherical structure and RNA-based genome allow it to thrive and spread efficiently across different climate zones.

The virus causes a variety of symptoms, including systemic mosaic patterns, chlorotic mottling, leaf distortion, ringspot symptoms, and severe stunting. Economically important crops such as grapevines, strawberries, raspberries, hops, and various ornamental plants are frequently affected. Infected plants often show reduced vigor, leading to significant yield losses and lower product quality.

The biological cycle of ArMV is heavily dependent on soil-dwelling nematodes, particularly Xiphinema diversicaudatum. These nematodes act as vectors, acquiring the virus while feeding on infected roots and transmitting it to healthy plants. Additionally, the virus is highly transmissible via vegetative propagation, such as cuttings or nursery stocks, which facilitates its long-distance spread between regions.

The spread of the virus is largely influenced by soil conditions and the population density of its nematode vectors. Sufficient soil moisture is critical for nematode movement and virus transmission. Because the virus can survive for long periods inside the nematode body and can be found in a wide variety of weeds, eradicating it once it becomes established in a soil site is extremely difficult.

Integrated management is essential for controlling Arabis mosaic virus. Key strategies include:

• Using certified virus-free planting material for all new crops.
• Implementing rigorous nematode control programs using nematicides or soil solarization.
• Employing crop rotation with non-host species to reduce nematode populations.
• Rogueing and destroying symptomatic plants promptly to remove sources of the virus.