Reduction in vertical transmission rate of bean common mosaic virus in bee-pollinated common bean plants

• Published in: Virology journal Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 147 - 6
• Main Authors: Mhlanga, Netsai M, Pate, Adrienne E, Arinaitwe, Warren, Carr, John P, Murphy, Alex M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 28.06.2024; BMC
• Subjects: Animals; Bean common mosaic necrosis virus; Bean common mosaic virus; Beans; Bees; Bees - virology; Bumblebees; Common beans; Cucumber mosaic virus; Cucumovirus - physiology; Disease transmission; Diseases and pests; Distribution; Infection; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Insect viruses; Legumes; Mimosaceae; Phaseolus - virology; Phaseolus vulgaris; Physiological aspects; Plant Diseases - virology; Plant viruses; Pollen; Pollination; Potyvirus - physiology; Seeds - virology; Vertical transmission; Virus diseases; Virus diseases of plants; Virus research; United Kingdom; Bumblebee; Phaseolus vulgaris; Bean common mosaic necrosis virus; Cucumber mosaic virus; Bean common mosaic virus; Vertical transmission; Pollen; Pollination
• ISSN: 1743-422X; 1743-422X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02407-w

Vertical transmission, the transfer of pathogens across generations, is a critical mechanism for the persistence of plant viruses. The transmission mechanisms are diverse, involving direct invasion through the suspensor and virus entry into developing gametes before achieving symplastic isolation. Despite the progress in understanding vertical virus transmission, the environmental factors influencing this process remain largely unexplored. We investigated the complex interplay between vertical transmission of plant viruses and pollination dynamics, focusing on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The intricate relationship between plants and pollinators, especially bees, is essential for global ecosystems and crop productivity. We explored the impact of virus infection on seed transmission rates, with a particular emphasis on bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Under controlled growth conditions, BCMNV exhibited the highest seed transmission rate, followed by BCMV and CMV. Notably, in the field, bee-pollinated BCMV-infected plants showed a reduced transmission rate compared to self-pollinated plants. This highlights the influence of pollinators on virus transmission dynamics. The findings demonstrate the virus-specific nature of seed transmission and underscore the importance of considering environmental factors, such as pollination, in understanding and managing plant virus spread.