Begomovirus jacquemontiayucatanense

Common symptoms of infection include interveinal chlorosis and a distinct mosaic pattern on the leaves. Infected leaves often show yellowing starting from the margins.

Leaf curling and deformation are hallmark signs of Begomovirus infection. The leaves may appear stunted, crinkled, or exhibit an upward or downward rolling of the edges.

Plants infected at an early stage exhibit severe stunting, characterized by significantly shortened internodes and a bushy, rosette-like appearance.

Flower development is often disrupted, leading to flower abortion, malformation, or complete failure of fruit set, which directly impacts reproductive success.

Symptom severity varies depending on the age of the plant at the time of infection and the environmental conditions, which influence both the plant growth and vector activity.

Begomovirus jacquemontiayucatanense is a plant pathogenic virus belonging to the Geminiviridae family. It is characterized by a circular, single-stranded DNA genome that is enclosed in twinned icosahedral particles.

This virus primarily infects plants within the Convolvulaceae family. It was first identified in the Yucatan region, often associated with wild plant species like Jacquemontia pentanthos.

The virus is phloem-limited, meaning it replicates within the transport tissues of the host plant. This localization is essential for its efficient acquisition by insect vectors.

Transmission of this virus is strictly circulative and persistent, carried out by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The virus cannot be transmitted mechanically or through seeds.

Evolutionarily, these viruses are highly adapted to their insect vectors, which facilitates their survival and rapid spread in tropical agricultural ecosystems.

The primary vector for the transmission of Begomovirus jacquemontiayucatanense is the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Environmental warmth accelerates the life cycle of the vector.

High temperatures and humidity levels are favorable for both the proliferation of whitefly populations and the efficient transmission of the virus within the field.

Weed hosts in the Convolvulaceae family serve as essential reservoirs during the off-season, bridging the gap between successive agricultural crop cycles.

Agricultural practices that promote monocultures of susceptible crops create an environment where the virus can spread rapidly if the whitefly population is not controlled.

Wind currents can carry viruliferous whiteflies from neighboring fields, making local eradication difficult without community-wide management efforts.

The economic impact of the virus is significant, as it leads to severe crop losses through reduced growth and poor quality of harvested products.

Viral infection drains the energy resources of the plant, disrupting the photosynthesis process and reducing the overall vigor of the crop.

Yield loss is primarily driven by the lack of fruit production and the degradation of the plant structure, rendering it unfit for market standards.

In addition to direct losses, the cost of increased pesticide applications to manage whitefly populations significantly raises the expense of agricultural production.

The long-term persistence of the virus in the environment limits the choice of cultivars that can be grown in affected regions, forcing farmers to seek resistant varieties.

Management strategies focus on the integrated control of the whitefly population using a mix of chemical, cultural, and biological methods.

Effective weed management, specifically the removal of Convolvulaceae species from around fields, is critical to reduce the primary sources of viral inoculum.

Using certified virus-free seedlings and avoiding planting near older, infected crops helps mitigate the risk of early-season infection.

The use of physical barriers, such as reflective mulches, can confuse and repel whiteflies, reducing their landing rate on young, vulnerable plants.

Regular scouting and the use of sticky traps are necessary to monitor vector populations and implement timely interventions before the virus spreads across the entire field.