Transmission efficiency and epidemiology of criniviruses

Abstract

An emergence of numerous whitefly-transmitted criniviruses has followed the increase in whitefly populations over the last decade throughout the world (Wintermantel 2004a). The impact of these criniviruses on vegetable and fruit production has created a critical need for better understanding of host range and vector relationships in order to develop effective and efficient management practices. Criniviruses have large bipartite RNA genomes encoding several open reading frames (ORFs). RNA1 encodes functions involved in virus replication, while RNA2 encodes up to 7 ORFs involved in virion assembly and vector transmission in addition to several other functions, many of which remain to be determined (Karasev 2000). Virions are encapsidated into long flexuous rods averaging between 650 and 900 nm in length. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.