Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus : application of loop-mediated isothermal amplification method to study efficiency of acquisition, retention and transmission by Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Kenaf

Whitefly is an important pest and vector of many plant begomoviruses. Investigations were carried out to understand the acquisition, retention, transmission, and gender basis transmission efficiency of Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus (MeYVMV) by whitefly. The minimum acquisition access feeding period (AAFP) was 0.10 h which resulted in 11.1% infected plants. Based on LAMP assay and yellowing symptoms, 100% virus acquisition was achieved by whitefly with an exposure of 18 to 48 h. Virus was transmitted in tested plants up to 88.8% after 1 to 10 days retention time of viruliferous whiteflies, whereas no symptoms were observed after 35 days. Fifteen minutes of exposure to viruliferous whiteflies on healthy plants resulted in 11.1% transmission. Cent percent transmission of virus was achieved in plants with 12 h exposure period. Highest virus transmission efficiency of 55.60% was observed in female whitefly compared to 33.3% in single male whitefly. Present study shall help to understand the interaction of insect-plant–virus relationship, epidemiological knowledge, and formulation of management strategies against virus and its vector.