Exploration of whitefly transmitted geminiviruses infecting okra Abelmoschus esculentus L Moench

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is one of the utmost extensively grown vegetable crops in tropical and sub-tropical regions across the globe. Globally, it is predominantly grown in Indian and African subcontinent. It is cultivated in 0.54 million hectares in India with an average production of 7.15 million tonnes. In world, India ranked first in the productivity of okra with 13.04 MT/ha and leading in the production. Okra is considered as the best constituent for balanced food due to its dietary fibers and amino acid composition which is rich in lysine and tryptophan. Despite its benefits, okra cultivation is facing challenges due to various diseases and insect pests at different growth stages, which severely impact its yield and quality. Among these biotic stresses, begomovirus is the most destructive genus which belongs to the family Geminiviridae, causing up to 30-100 % yield loss. Okra cultivation has been highly threatened by BYVMD and OELCuD. Recently, OELCuD has become an emerging problem. In India, OELCuV (Okra enation leaf curl virus) was first reported from Bangalore (Karnataka) causing 80-90 % yield loss. OELCuV is associated with either alphasatellite or betasatellite and it is transmitted by Bemisia tabaci. Whitefly transmits the virus in calculative and persistent manner. Limited research on OELCuV has been conducted in Bihar. newline