Virus diseases in crops
Control Measures Against Viruses
Integrated Control Measures Against Viruses and Their Vectors
from Alberto Fereres and Aranzazu Moreno writing in Recent Advances in Plant Virology
Viruses and their vectors produce severe damage to crops worldwide. Of importance are the strategies and tactics used to manage vectors of plant viruses, with special attention to insects, by far the most important type of vector. The philosophy and principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) developed long ago can still provide an effective and sustainable way to manage insect vectors of virus diseases of plants. Preventive strategies such as the development of models that forecast virus disease outbreaks together with host plant resistance, cultural and physical tactics are the most effective ways to control nonpersistently-transmitted viruses. A reduction in vector numbers using conventional systemic insecticides or innundative biological control agents can also provide effective control of persistently-transmitted viruses. Recent advances on understanding of the mode of transmission of plant viruses are also a very promising way to develop molecules to block putative virus binding sites within the vector and to avoid virus retention and transmission. Also, the characterization of aphid's salivary components that is underway may facilitate the development of new tools to interfere with the process of transmission of plant viruses.
Further reading: Recent Advances in Plant Virology | Virology Publications
from Alberto Fereres and Aranzazu Moreno writing in Recent Advances in Plant Virology
Viruses and their vectors produce severe damage to crops worldwide. Of importance are the strategies and tactics used to manage vectors of plant viruses, with special attention to insects, by far the most important type of vector. The philosophy and principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) developed long ago can still provide an effective and sustainable way to manage insect vectors of virus diseases of plants. Preventive strategies such as the development of models that forecast virus disease outbreaks together with host plant resistance, cultural and physical tactics are the most effective ways to control nonpersistently-transmitted viruses. A reduction in vector numbers using conventional systemic insecticides or innundative biological control agents can also provide effective control of persistently-transmitted viruses. Recent advances on understanding of the mode of transmission of plant viruses are also a very promising way to develop molecules to block putative virus binding sites within the vector and to avoid virus retention and transmission. Also, the characterization of aphid's salivary components that is underway may facilitate the development of new tools to interfere with the process of transmission of plant viruses.
Further reading: Recent Advances in Plant Virology | Virology Publications
Resistance to Viruses in Plants
Sustainable Management of Plant Resistance to Viruses
from Benoît Moury, Alberto Fereres, Fernando García-Arenal and Hervé Lecoq writing in Recent Advances in Plant Virology
Although viruses are among the parasites which induce the most severe damages on cultivated plants, few control methods have been developed against them. Notably, no curative methods can be applied against virus diseases in crops. In view of this major economic problem, the development of resistant cultivars has become a critical factor of competitiveness for breeders. However, plant - virus interactions are highly dynamic and the selective pressure exerted by plant resistance frequently favours the emergence of adapted virus populations. Given the scarcity of resistance genes, there is consequently an urgent need to increase the sustainability of these genetic resources. A recent publication reviews the biological mechanisms which allow the emergence of virus populations adapted to plant resistances and how we can use this knowledge to explain the relative durability of different resistance genes, to built predictors of resistance durability and to combine the use of resistances with other control methods to increase their sustainability.
Further reading: Recent Advances in Plant Virology | Virology Publications
from Benoît Moury, Alberto Fereres, Fernando García-Arenal and Hervé Lecoq writing in Recent Advances in Plant Virology
Although viruses are among the parasites which induce the most severe damages on cultivated plants, few control methods have been developed against them. Notably, no curative methods can be applied against virus diseases in crops. In view of this major economic problem, the development of resistant cultivars has become a critical factor of competitiveness for breeders. However, plant - virus interactions are highly dynamic and the selective pressure exerted by plant resistance frequently favours the emergence of adapted virus populations. Given the scarcity of resistance genes, there is consequently an urgent need to increase the sustainability of these genetic resources. A recent publication reviews the biological mechanisms which allow the emergence of virus populations adapted to plant resistances and how we can use this knowledge to explain the relative durability of different resistance genes, to built predictors of resistance durability and to combine the use of resistances with other control methods to increase their sustainability.
Further reading: Recent Advances in Plant Virology | Virology Publications