Mechanism of Arthropod-mediated Transmission of Plant Viruses - A Review

Abstract

In the intricate world of botanical life, an often-overlooked menace lurks – plant viruses. Viruses invade their target and hijack the plant cell's mechanisms to multiply and reproduce. The impact of these microscopic assailants is profound, affecting food security, food safety, national economies, biodiversity, and the rural environment. Plant viruses, although small in stature, wield immense influence in the plant kingdom. They are sub-microscopic entities comprised of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, encased within a protective protein coat. They need a medium of transmission for survival and spread, which can be air, water, contaminated tools, or certain other organisms known as vectors. These vectors, often insects, fungi, or nematodes, serve as intermediaries between the virus and its plant host, facilitating transmission and infection. Understanding the intricate interactions between plant viruses and their vectors is vital for developing effective control strategies that can mitigate the devastating impact of these diseases on crops. This relationship between a plant virus and a vector is a testament to the complexity of the natural world, where microscopic organisms wield enormous influence over the health and fate of plants, impacting ecosystems and even human agriculture. This review delves into the world of plant virus vectors, un-ravelling their roles in disease transmission, their biological mechanisms, and the pivotal role they play in shaping agricultural landscapes worldwide. It also explores the types of virus transmission and their effects on vector behaviour. This knowledge is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the impact of plant viruses and protect global food security.