A review on the novel discoveries of Begomoviruses in Oman

Abstract

Begomoviruses (family; Geminiviradae) consist of single-stranded (ss) and circular genome particles.  They are transmitted by whiteflies, and represent a major constraint to agricultural crops in different parts of the world. In Oman, they have been causing huge losses to crop (tomato, cucumber, watermelon and beans). Research on begomoviruses in Oman over the last years focused on molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationship, recombination analysis, pathogenicity test on model and host plants and the development of transgenic plants with resistance. Some studies focused on the association of DNA satellites (alphasatellite and betasatellite) molecules with begomoviruses. This review highlights the latest developments in begomovirus and associated DNA satellites discoveries in Oman over the last three decades.  This period encountered changes in agricultural practices and developments in virus detection technologies from morphological to the application of genome diagnostics to the emergence of high throughput DNA sequencing, capable to sequence multiple and diverse DNA molecules in parallel, enabling of millions of DNA molecules to be sequenced at a time.  In addition, several tomato cultivars bearing different Ty genes having resistance to TYLCD complex were developed.