Emerging problems of Tospoviruses (Bunyaviridae) and their Management in the Indian Subcontinent

Tospoviruses (family Bunyaviridae, genus Tospovirus) are enveloped isometric RNA viruses with a tripartite genome containing small (S), medium (M), and large (L) segments of ssRNA. They are transmitted by thrips (Thysanoptera) in a propagative manner and are one of the most important plant virus groups infecting a wide range of economically important crop plants all over the world (63). Tospoviruses have emerged as serious viral pathogens affecting the cultivation of several field and horticultural crops (109). In the Indian subcontinent, due to their economic impact on a wide range of important crops, most of the research was carried out only in India, although tospoviral diseases are significant problems in several other countries in the subcontinent including Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Several reviews are available on various aspects of tospoviruses and thrips vectors (7, 21, 36, 63, 64, 106). The present review aims to highlight emerging disease problems, virus characteristics, vectors, diagnosis, epidemiology, and management of tospoviruses in the Indian subcontinent.