Chilli Veinal Mottle Virus Biology, Molecular Diversity, Epidemiology, and Disease Management

Abstract

Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) is economically destructive potyvirus that infects chilli production in Asia resulting in severe losses in yield and quality. Contributions in the field of molecular virology, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatic tools have made major contributions to the existing knowledge of ChiVMV biology, genetic diversity and the interaction of host and virus in the last decade. New phylogenetic studies using the full sequences of the nucleotides and the polyprotein sequences have shown well defined lineage divisions amongst geographically differentiated isolates, showing ongoing viral evolution by mutation, recombination, and local adaptation. A characteristic pattern of the ChiVMV infection cycle includes aphid-mediated infection transmission, polyprotein processing, cytoplasm replication, and cell-to cell and systemic local movements. Host RNA silencing is the main antiviral immunity at the molecular level but ChiVMV overcomes this effect via RNAi suppression via HC-Pro. The management strategies that are currently in place use integrated plant disease management (IPDM) such as the use of vector control, certified seed, cultural practices, resistant germplasm and the use of biological agents. The review combines modern information on the epidemiology of the ChiVMV, its genome structure, molecular interactions, development of resistance, and evolutionary processes, which will form the basis of future studies and the development of long-term and sustainable control mechanisms.