SYMPTOMATIC EVIDENCE OF BEGOMOVIRUS DISEASE IN VEGETABLE CROPS REPORTED FROM SELECTED DISTRICTS OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Plant viruses cause major damage to several vegetables and agricultural crops.Begomoviruses (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) are plant-infecting DNA viruses that are transmitted by the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci.They significantly reduce yields in several globally important vegetable crops.Due to lack of prior research, here in, we performed multiple field surveys in three districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, keenly observed for the characteristic disease symptoms in crops, and evaluated the occurrence of the virus.Results showed that the overall disease incidence was 57.5% in District Dir Lower, 75% in District Malakand, and 78% in District Swat, respectively.Across all districts, pumpkin showed the highest overall disease incidence at 80%, followed by tomato (79%).Vein thickening and leaf curling were the most common symptoms associated with high incidence rates, especially in pumpkin, tomato, and chili.Pumpkin had the highest incidence in District Dir Lower (93%), while tomato exhibited high vein yellowing and incidences of 70% in Dir Lower and 89% in Swat.In conclusion, the preliminary study is an alarming signal for future food security in the area.The study will help to prevent the further spread of begomoviruses and serve as foundation for the future management of plant diseases.