Thrips-transmitted tobacco streak virus: A growing biotic challenge in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cultivation and adaptive management strategies in India

Sunflower farming is under serious threat due to necrosis disease, predominantly caused by Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) and transmitted by thrips. Among the vectors, Thrips palmi have been identified as a major carrier of this devastating disease. A critical component in the epidemiology of sunflower necrosis is the bioecology of thrips. Their complex behaviour such as specialized feeding, rapid reproduction and efficient dispersal-enable swift population build-up and facilitate virus transmission. These dynamics, coupled with environmental factors like temperature and humidity, contribute to seasonal disease outbreaks. Effective management of sunflower necrosis disease requires a comprehensive and integrated approach. Key strategies include adjusting the sowing time to avoid peak thrips activity, cultivating TSV-resistant sunflower varieties and minimizing weed hosts that serve as virus reservoirs. Biological control through the application of plant growth-promoting microbial consortia offers an eco-friendly and sustainable method to suppress vector populations. Additionally, the judicious use of insecticides in combination with biocontrol agents can enhance disease suppression while reducing chemical dependency. Although sunflower necrosis has been extensively studied in regions like India, its global distribution, impact and economic consequences remain underexplored. There is an urgent need for expanded region-specific research to evaluate its prevalence and severity across diverse agroclimatic zones. Multidisciplinary efforts are essential to develop resilient cropping systems, advance vector management strategies and safeguard sunflower production under changing environmental conditions.