Disease complex associated with begomoviruses infecting squash and cucumber in Saudi Arabia.

During the field visits in growing season of 2022 in Dammam Region of Saudi Arabia, begomovirus-like symptoms including leaf curling, leaf cupping, leaf distortion, vein thickening and reduced leaf size were observed in squash and cucumber fields. Twenty-five samples were collected from each crop and PCR amplification was done using general diagnostic begomovirus primers (AC-1048/AV-494 and Begomo I/Begomo II). The obtained results showed desired sized amplified DNA fragments (550 bp and 1.

Identification and molecular characterization of cotton leaf curl Gezira betasatellite and two distinct begomoviruses infecting papaya trees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Begomovirus is the largest genus in the family Geminiviridae and constitutes more than 445 virus species. Begomoviruses are characterized by single-stranded circular genomes with monopartite or bipartite components and transmitted by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Begomoviruses cause severe diseases in many economically important crops throughout the world.

Occurrence and Distribution of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus Infecting Tomato Crop in Saudi Arabia.

During the growing season of 2021-2022, a total of 145 symptomatic tomato leaf and fruit samples were collected from different locations in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia, showing a moderate-to-severe mosaic with dark green wrinkling, blistering, narrowing, and deformation with necrosis spot on tomato leaves, while irregular brown necrotic lesions, deformation, and yellowing spots rendering the fruits non-marketable were observed on tomato fruits. These samples were tested serologically against important tomato viruses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the obtained results showed that 52.4% of symptomatic tomato samples were found positive for Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), wherein 12 out of 76 samples were singly infected; however, 64 out of 145 had mixed infection.

Interaction estimation of pathogenicity determinant protein βC1 encoded by Cotton leaf curl Multan Betasatellite with Nuclear Transport Factor 2.

Background: Begomovirus is one of the most devastating pathogens that can cause more than 90% yield loss in various crop plants. The pathogenicity determinant βC1, located on the betasatellite associated with monopartite begomoviruses, alters the host signaling mechanism to enhance the viral disease phenotype by undermining the host immunity. The understanding of its interacting proteins in host plants to develop disease symptoms such as curly leaves, enations, vein swelling, and chlorosis is crucial to enhance the disease resistance in crop plants.

First Report of Tomato black ring virus (TBRV) on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Saudi Arabia.

Tomato is a popular vegetable crop that is cultivated worldwide. It is also one of the most important crops in Saudi Arabia. In 2017, the area in which tomato was grown in Saudi Arabia was estimated to be 13317 ha and produced 306389 tons.

; a Recently Detected Virus Infecting Alfafa () in Central Saudi Arabia.

A survey was conducted to determine the status of (LTSV) in three high-yielding alfalfa regions in central Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail) during 2014. Three hundred and eight symptomatic alfalfa, and seven samples were collected. DAS-ELISA indicated that 59 of these samples were positive to LTSV.

Molecular characterization of a naturally occurring intraspecific recombinant begomovirus with close relatives widespread in southern Arabia.

Background: Tomato leaf curl Sudan virus (ToLCSDV) is a single-stranded DNA begomovirus of tomato that causes downward leaf curl, yellowing, and stunting. Leaf curl disease results in significant yield reduction in tomato crops in the Nile Basin. ToLCSDV symptoms resemble those caused by Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, a distinct and widespread begomovirus originating in the Middle East.

Viral metagenomics: analysis of begomoviruses by illumina high-throughput sequencing.

Traditional DNA sequencing methods are inefficient, lack the ability to discern the least abundant viral sequences, and ineffective for determining the extent of variability in viral populations. Here, populations of single-stranded DNA plant begomoviral genomes and their associated beta- and alpha-satellite molecules (virus-satellite complexes) (genus, Begomovirus; family, Geminiviridae) were enriched from total nucleic acids isolated from symptomatic, field-infected plants, using rolling circle amplification (RCA). Enriched virus-satellite complexes were subjected to Illumina-Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).