The begomovirus is the major threat to cotton and vegetables, causing huge losses to agricultural productivity. This was stated by speakers at a seminar titled "begomovirus diversity, phylogenetic and population genetic in cultivated and uncultivated plant ecosystem in Pakistan" arranged by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) at New Senate Hall.
The session was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while Dr Judith K Brown from University of Arizona, USA, and FC College Lahore's Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation Director Professor Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik and UAF ORIC Director Professor Dr Asif Ali also spoke on the occasion.
Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said the control of this disease can add millions of rupees to the national economy and can help the country to increase the agricultural production. He said begomovirus appeared massively on cotton crop in 2000 in Burewala and since then it has been a real threat. Talking about Cotton Leave Curl Virus, he said in 1992, CLCV played havoc with the cotton production.
However, its outbreak was lowered down after four years in 1996 with biological control. He said CLCV caused the loss of 15pc of 2013 total harvest. Dr Judith K Brown said the domination over the whitefly will help reduce losses caused by begomovirus. She said the virus is transmitted by an insect vector whitefly. This vector allows rapid and propagation of the virus.
She said virus is poised to new environment. She said in Pakistan, maximum diversification of begomovirus is witnessed in Burewala, Multan and Vehari. Professor Dr Kausar Malik said Dr Judith K Brown is the one of pioneer in helping Pakistan in controlling the cotton virus. He stressed the need to step up efforts to overcome viruses so that food security can be ensured in the country. Professor Dr Asif Ali said adoption of modern methods and to get benefit from the researches is essential to increase the productivity.
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