Molecular characterization of viruses associated to leaf curl disease complex on zucchini squash in Iraq reveals Deng primer set could distinguish between New and Old World Begomoviruses

Abstract

The emergence of begomoviruses has led to signifi cant losses in vegetable production in the recent years. Squash leaf curl disease (SqLCD) is caused by begomoviruses, and the infected plants show leaf curl symptoms on zucchini squash.In this study, we characterized the begomoviruses responsible for SqLCD symptoms and economic losses in zucchini major growing area near Baghdad and Babylon provinces.PCR amplifi cation was performed to screen for begomovirus infection using Deng (a begomovirus specifi c) primer set. Sequence comparison confi rmed the detection of two begomoviruses; Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPMV) and Squash leaf curl virus (SLCuV), in symptomatic zucchini samples when shared 99.14 and 99.50% maximum nucleotide (nt) identities with coat protein CP gene, respectively. All samples collected from Baghdad/Al-Jadriya were ToLCPMV infected while those collected from Babylon/ Jibela were SLCuV infected. Moreover, mixed infection of the two viruses was detected in all zucchini squash samples collected from Baghdad/Yusufi yah. Evidence is provided here of the relevance of the wild species Malva neglecta and Datura stramonium as reservoir of begomoviruses that cause epedemics of leaf curl disease in zucchini squash in Iraq. Neighbor joining (NJ) Phylogenetic analysis confi rmed the relatedness when diverged virus sequences in separated groups based on CP gene. The high nt identity suggests the two begomoviruses may recently be introduced to Iraq and could be a serious threatening to squash cultivation.

Modern GPS diagnostic technique to determine and map soil hardpan for enhancing agricultural operation management

“…GPS monitoring performance indicators serves as a useful navigation tool because spatial analyses of the mechanical unit will enhance agricultural operations and improve farming profitability. Several important parameters such as traction efficiency, slip percentage, tractive force, fuel consumption, and others are crucial to evaluate the performance of the agricultural unit These parameters also facilitate better management of mechanized equipment as well as more profitable decision-making (Miu, 2015). Practical speed and operating depth are considered important factors that affect the performance indicators of the tractor while working in the field.…”

“…In conclusion, global warming, drought, degradation, and desertification, are threats that, if no working solution can be implemented, will increase hunger worldwide. Scientists are charged with designing procedures and work plans to apply in various aspects, specifically: identifying new pests (Al-Ani et al, 2011a;Chuang et al, 2017;Mohammed et al, 2021;Schoelz et al, 2021;Adhab & Alkuwaiti, 2022), and finding ways to increase food production (Al-Ani, 2010;Al-Ani et al, 2011b;Aguirre-Rojas et al, 2017Adhab et al, 2019;Khalaf et al, 2019;Zhao et al, 2019;Khalaf et al, 2020;AlShabar et al, 2021;Baazeem et al, 2022;Khalaf et al, 2023), reducing the effects of imminent famine that appears likely occur in the near future, particularly in less developed countries. This study would provide ways to increase the yield by using new techniques.…”

First report of Cucumber vein yellowing virus in Iraq

“…Courgette ( Cucurbita pepo ) is one of the main cucurbit crops grown in Iraq for local consumption. Viruses are a major threat to cucurbit production in Iraq, particularly whitefly‐transmitted viruses (Mohammed et al., 2021). In the 2022 growing season, courgette plants with extensive leaf vein‐yellowing symptoms (Figure 1), associated with whitefly infestation, were observed in fields around Al‐Yusufiyah, Baghdad Province, Iraq.…”

The Relationship Between Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus Resistance Gene and Root Knot Nematode Meloidogyne spp. Resistance Gene in Tomato Plants

“…Figure (2) from the Tomato-EXPEN 2000 map shows that the (Mi-1) gene is located at (6) cm, while the (Ty-1) gene is located near (8) cm, based on several lines of evidence. Tomato plants that are resistant to the Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) [22] come in the form of several kinds or strains.The introduction of the (Ty-1) resistance locus obtained from Solanum chilense LA1969 is the basis for almost all TYLCV-resistant phylogenies. This is in contrast to the root-knot disease resistance achieved by other cultivars in response to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne Spp.…”