Rice tungro virus

Definition

Rice tungro virus is a plant virus that primarily infects rice plants, causing the tungro disease, which leads to stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and reduced yield. This virus is transmitted mainly by leafhoppers, making it crucial to understand its transmission dynamics and host range in rice cultivation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rice tungro virus is mainly spread by the green leafhopper (Nephotettix virescens), which feeds on infected rice plants and then transmits the virus to healthy plants.
2. In addition to rice, some wild grasses can serve as reservoirs for the rice tungro virus, which can complicate control measures.
3. Infected rice plants exhibit symptoms such as yellowing leaves, stunting, and the formation of rolled leaves, severely impacting crop yields.
4. Management practices such as controlling leafhopper populations and planting resistant rice varieties are essential to prevent the spread of the virus.
5. The virus has a significant economic impact on rice production in Southeast Asia, where it can lead to severe losses in both yield and quality.

Review Questions

• How does the rice tungro virus affect the growth and yield of infected rice plants?
  • Rice tungro virus significantly impacts infected plants by causing stunted growth and yellowing of leaves. These symptoms lead to reduced photosynthesis and overall vigor in the plants, which ultimately results in lower yields. Understanding these effects is critical for developing effective management strategies to combat the disease in rice cultivation.
• Discuss the role of leafhoppers in the transmission of rice tungro virus and how they contribute to its spread among rice crops.
  • Leafhoppers, particularly Nephotettix virescens, are key vectors in the transmission of rice tungro virus. When these insects feed on infected rice plants, they acquire the virus and can subsequently transfer it to healthy plants during their feeding activities. This mode of transmission emphasizes the importance of monitoring leafhopper populations as a strategy to control the spread of the virus among rice crops.
• Evaluate the economic implications of rice tungro virus on rice production in Southeast Asia and propose integrated pest management strategies to mitigate its effects.
  • Rice tungro virus poses serious economic challenges for rice production in Southeast Asia, leading to significant yield losses and affecting food security in the region. To mitigate its effects, integrated pest management strategies could include implementing biological control measures to manage leafhopper populations, cultivating resistant rice varieties, and employing crop rotation practices to disrupt the life cycle of both the virus and its vectors. These strategies can help minimize the incidence of tungro disease while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Related terms

Tungro disease: A viral disease affecting rice plants characterized by stunted growth and yellowing leaves, caused by rice tungro virus and associated viruses.

Vector: An organism, often an insect, that transmits pathogens from one host to another; in the case of rice tungro virus, leafhoppers serve as the main vector.

Host range: The spectrum of host species that a pathogen can infect; for rice tungro virus, this primarily includes different varieties of rice plants.