Viral diseases causing yellowing and stunting affecting cool season food legumes in Syria and the neighboring countries and their management

Abstract

Viruses causing yellowing/stunting are the most important virus diseases affecting legumes in many regions of the world including Syria, and was considered for many years to be caused mainly by infection with Bean leafroll virus (BLRV, genus Luteovirus, family Luteoviridae). Molecular studies conducted recently has clearly shown that there are a number of Luteoviruses (e.g. Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus, Beet western yellows virus, Soybean dwarf virus, and others), in addition to BLRV, and each of these viruses can produce yellowing/stunting symptoms in chickpea, lentil and faba bean. Epidemic spread of these diseases was always associated with high aphid vector populations and activity. Although virus disease management can be achieved through the combined effect of several approaches, development of resistant genotypes is undoubtedly one of the most promising control components. Experience gathered over the last few decades clearly showed that no single method of virus disease control suffices to reduce yield losses in legume crops. Some progress was made on the disease management of some chickpea viruses using a combination of healthy seed, host resistance, cultural practices (such as adjustment of planting date, plant density, roguing of infected plants early in the season) and chemical vector control.