Emerging Trends in Plant Viral Diseases: Symptoms, Economic Impact, and Novel Control Strategies

Abstract

In recent years, plant viral diseases have emerged as a significant global threat to agricultural productivity and food security. As the world’s population continues to rise and climate change accelerates, managing these diseases has become increasingly complex. Staple food crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and several horticultural crops are particularly vulnerable to viral infections, which lead to reduced yields, poor quality produce, and substantial economic losses. These infections commonly manifest through symptoms like yellowing or mottling of leaves, distorted vein patterns, tissue necrosis, stunted growth, wilting, and abnormalities in fruits and flowers. This review examines current and historical outbreaks of destructive plant viruses, with a focus on pandemic cases like maize lethal necrosis, rice tungro, sweet potato virus, banana bunchy top, citrus tristeza, and plum pox. It also addresses epidemic viruses such as wheat yellow dwarf, wheat streak mosaic, and tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Many of these viruses have spread across continents due to global trade in infected seeds and planting material. The paper discusses recent advances in disease detection, the role of climate in virus transmission, and the need for integrated management strategies. These include breeding virus-resistant cultivars, controlling vector populations, removing infected plants, and adopting biosecurity measures. This review underscores the urgent need for collaborative international efforts in surveillance, early warning systems, and sustainable agricultural practices. By addressing the evolving nature of plant viral diseases, it aims to support global strategies for protecting crop health and ensuring food security in a rapidly changing world.