Chapter 19 - Virus-vector interaction with special reference to RNA virus of important crop plants: An appraisal

Abstract

Viral diseases of plants cause heavy yield loss around the globe. Virus-infected plants show a wide range of symptoms in the below-ground and/or ab-ground parts of the plants. Many plant viruses are transmitted by arthropod vectors. Transmission is a significant step in the biological cycle of viruses because it ensures their maintenance and survival. A virus-vector relation is a very complex and specific phenomenon. Transmission of plant viruses by insect vectors usually takes place in four ways, depending on acquisition time (feeding), retention time (remains viruliferous), transmission time (gap between feeding to transmission), and whether or not the virus circulates through the insect body and/or propagates in the insect. Understanding the virus-vector relationship is crucial for the management of viral diseases of plants. The mode of transmission and other important issues related to plant virus-vector interaction have been discussed critically in this chapter. Mitigation strategies have also been discussed extensively.