Epidemiology of Begomoviruses: A Global Perspective

Abstract

Geminiviridae , particularly the Begomovirus , represents a family of DNA viruses that emerged as one of the most successful viral pathogens causing severe economic losses to dicotyledonous plants widely used as food, fi ber, and ornamentals in tropical and subtropical agroecosystem. Diseases caused by the Begomovirus in cassava, cotton, tomato, okra, and mung bean are severe and have attained international status because of their loss and spread. Signifi cant work has been done and reviewed on the epidemiological aspect of the diseases; however, it has mainly focused on the molecular diversity of the pathogen in the environment. Various factors affecting epidemics, viz., variation in the vector, virus, and environment, are most important in the outbreak and spread of the disease. Source of primary inoculum for most of the Begomovirus is still not completely elucidated. Recently, there was a report on the role of seeds in the indirect transmission of the Begomovirus in mung bean. In the present review, a holistic up-to-date view encompassing both studies of the disease in the populations and population of pathogens is discussed.