Abstract
The begomoviruses (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) constitute the largest group of plant viruses causing devastating crop diseases in India. About 16% geminiviruses recorded worldwide occur in India. Begomovirus associated disease was recorded in India as early as 1924. During 1980s, begomovirus disease and the vector whitefly, Bemisia tabaci emerged as serious problems in many vegetable and pulse crops. The molecular characterisation studies on begomoviruses in India began during late 1980s and during last decade, a large number of begomoviruses were discovered causing diseases such as mosaic, yellow mosaic, yellow vein mosaic and leaf curl in numerous crops and wild plants. Currently, 322 begomovirus species have been officially recognised all over the world, of which about 82 begomovirus species are known to occur in India. The Indian subcontinent represents one of the important centres for begomoviruses origin and diversity. In this chapter, research work on identification and characterization of begomoviruses in diverse crops in India is presented. Geographic distribution, phylogenetic relationship, infectivities of cloned genome components, recombination, replication events, suppression of RNAi silencing, viral gene funtions as pathogenicity determinants and association of satellites and their role in disease development with reference to the Indian begomoviruses are discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
