Cotton Virus Diseases

Abstract

Virus diseases of cotton have historically been of only sporadic importance to global cotton production. Recent devastating epidemics in Pakistan and other areas have brought new awareness to the potential for disaster of a pathogen once considered to be of a minor importance. Under changing conditions this pathogen (cotton leaf curl virus) has emerged as a serious problem in Pakistan and India. Cotton leaf curl virus does not occur in the United States or the rest of the western hemisphere but recent experience worldwide is a reminder that pathogens, such as this geminivirus, can be moved easily from one part of the world to another and therefor we need to be aware of the potential impact of such pathogens on local crops.