Status of geminiviruses in Iran, incredible plant pathogens

The family Geminiviridae with fourteen accepted genera and an increasing number of unassigned species is currently identified as the largest family of plant‐infecting viruses. Their twinned icosahedral particles contain single-stranded genomic DNAs that are naturally transmitted by Hemiptera insects including whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), several species of leafhoppers, treehoppers and one species of aphid in a wide range of host plants. Also, some geminiviruses are transmitted by seeds in certain hosts. In addition to climate changes, industrial cultivations, and the development of global trade, the genetic flexibility of geminiviruses has led to an increase in the rate of their distribution. Diseases caused by geminiviruses constitute a serious constraint to tropical and sub-tropical agroecosystems worldwide. The economic losses caused by geminivirus infections have grown especially in open fields and greenhouses in Iran during the last years. Defining two distinct genera by having unique molecular and biological characteristics, Becurtovirus and Turncurtovirus, and the presence of different species and strains of other geminiviruses introduces Iran as a putative origin of diversification for old-world monopartite geminiviruses. This review presents the occurrence and diversity of the members of Geminiviridae in Iran. Moreover, some applicable control measures have been proposed based on compatibility with the Iran agroecosystem which would also be recommended for other tropical and subtropical regions  of the world.

Keywords:

Control measures , diversity , Geminiviruses , Iran