Emergence and diversity of badnaviruses in India

Abstract

Badnaviruses (family Caulimoviridae) have bacilliform virion morphology containing circular double stranded DNA genome. They are transmitted by mealybugs in a semi-persistent manner. Badnaviruses are emerging as serious viral pathogens affecting many crops in India. Banana streak virus (BSV), sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV), citrus yellow mosaic virus (CYMV), piper yellow mottle virus (PYMoV) and bougainvillea infecting badnavirus are the five badnaviruses known to occur in India. Badnaviruses reported from India are genetically diverse. This article highlights the research work carried out on badnaviruses affecting different crops in India.