Transmission attributes of Asian I Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) modulating the spread of Chili leaf curl virus disease in Chili (Capsicum spp.)
Category:- Journal; Year:- 2022
Discipline:- Agrotechnology Discipline
School:- Life Science School
Abstract
A dose-response relationship was documented throughout two-year greenhouse trial on chili in 2019 and 2020 wherein varying acquisition and inoculation times affected Chili leaf curl virus (ChLCV) transmission significantly. Transmissions of ChLCV to the highest levels were statistically equal between 42 and 48 hours acquisition and inoculation. ChLCV transmission by female whiteflies is far superior to that by males. Acquisition and inoculation lasting more than 12 hours inflicted only 50% ChLCV transmission. In ChLCV transmission, a short acquisition with extended inoculation outperformed a long acquisition with short inoculation, emphasizing inoculation over acquisition. Infectivity of ChLCV in B. tabaci peaked at 2–3 days and got nil at 11 days. Studied B. tabacci was identified as Asian I Silverleaf whitefly by bioinformatics (100% identity on cytochrome oxidase I). Overall, the study will help chili growers learn more about the biology of Asian I Silverleaf whiteflies, and how to better manage them.