Genomic insights and pathogenic potential of begomovirus infecting bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) in Tamil nadu, India

Unraveling viruses associated with yellowing disease of cucurbitaceous crops in Tamil Nadu (India) through metatranscriptome sequencing

Molecular evidence of two begomoviruses and a novel DNA-B infecting Duranta erecta variegata in Pakistan.

This is the first report of RoLCuV, a novel DNA-B, PaLCrV, and HYVA infecting D. erecta variegata in Pakistan, and the presence of rose leaf curl virus accompanied by a novel recombinant DNA-B, tentatively named "rose leaf curl virus DNA-B."

Characterisation of begomoviruses causing yellow mosaic disease in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) in South India

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a valuable cucurbitaceous crop cultivated widely in subtropical and temperate regions. However, its productivity is increasingly threatened by begomoviruses, especially in South India. The present study investigates the incidence, molecular characterisation, vector transmission and host range of squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCNV) and tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus (ToLCKV) infecting zucchini in Bengaluru and Mysuru districts of Karnataka. Field surveys conducted during 2020–21 revealed a high incidence of yellow mosaic and leaf curl symptoms in affected fields. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of bipartite SLCCNV and monopartite ToLCKV in symptomatic plants. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) transmission assays determined that a minimum of 10 min acquisition period and 30 min inoculation periods were necessary for efficient virus transmission. Host range studies demonstrated that squash leaf curl China virus–Zucchini [Bengaluru-1] (SLCCNV-ZUB1) could infect pumpkin, ridge gourd and bottle gourd, while other cucurbits and solanaceous crops remained uninfected. Complete genome sequencing revealed > 91 % nucleotide identity with known SLCCNV isolates and 97.9 % identity of tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus–Zucchini [Bengaluru-5] (ToLCKV-ZUB5) with ToLCKV infecting tomato. Recombination analyses identified significant breakpoint events suggesting viral evolution from related begomoviruses. This is the first report of ToLCKV infecting zucchini in South India, highlighting the emergence of new begomoviral variants and their epidemiological significance in cucurbit production.

IDENTIFICATION OF PEDILANTHUS LEAF CURL VIRUS AND A NOVEL BETASATELLITE-INFECTING RADISH (RAPHANUS SATIVUS L.) IN PAKISTAN

The natural occurrence of Pedilanthus leaf curl virus and a novel Radish leaf curl Layyah betasatellite infecting radish in Pakistan are documents and underscore the occurrence of begomovirus with new betasatellite complexes in the region and highlight the need for continuous surveillance strategies to safeguard radish cultivation.

Molecular Characterization of a Novel Monopartite Begomovirus Infecting Weeds and Important Crops in Yunnan, China

BpLCrV was, for the first time, identified and characterized as a novel begomovirus that infects not only weeds but also different important crops, potentially threatening agricultural production.

First report of tomato spotted wilt virus (Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae) and phytoplasma in China aster and development of duplex PCR, LAMP, and qPCR assays for rapid detection