Spot Inoculation of Begomovirus by Single Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Transmission in Mungbean Using Microcage

The Begomovirus genus is a prominent group of viruses that are transmitted by the whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci, and have been known to cause significant yield reductions in several economically important crops worldwide. Among these viruses, the mungbean yellow mosaic India virus is particularly problematic, causing substantial yield losses in mungbean and proving difficult to control. Therefore, developing new techniques to study the vector-virus systems involving begomoviruses is a research priority for mungbean and other crops affected by these viruses. In this chapter, we present a technique suitable for enhancing the acquisition and inoculation of begomoviruses using a single whitefly. By confining the whitefly in an environment that closely mimics its natural habitat, we are able to increase the transmission efficiency of the virus. This technique can be easily and efficiently replicated in other host-begomovirus systems for various studies.