Viruses, Vol. 16, Pages 603: Viral Threats to Fruit and Vegetable Crops in the Caribbean

Viruses, Vol. 16, Pages 603: Viral Threats to Fruit and Vegetable Crops in the Caribbean Viruses doi: 10.3390/v16040603 Authors: Paula Tennant Sephra Rampersad Angela Alleyne Lloyd Johnson Deiondra Tai Icolyn Amarakoon Marcia Roye Patrice Pitter Peta-Gaye Chang Lisa Myers Morgan Viruses pose major global challenges to crop production as infections reduce the yield and quality of harvested products, hinder germplasm exchange, increase financial inputs, and threaten food security. Small island or archipelago habitat conditions such as those in the Caribbean are particularly susceptible as the region is characterized by high rainfall and uniform, warm temperatures throughout the year. Moreover, Caribbean islands are continuously exposed to disease risks because of their location at the intersection of transcontinental trade between North and South America and their role as central hubs for regional and global agricultural commodity trade. This review provides a summary of virus disease epidemics that originated in the Caribbean and those that were introduced and spread throughout the islands. Epidemic-associated factors that impact disease development are also discussed. Understanding virus disease epidemiology, adoption of new diagnostic technologies, implementation of biosafety protocols, and widespread acceptance of biotechnology solutions to counter the effects of cultivar susceptibility remain important challenges to the region. Effective integrate...
Source: Viruses - Category: Virology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research