Ilarvirus (pronounced i-lahr-vahy-ruhs) is a genus of plant viruses that belongs to the family Bromoviridae. The name Ilarvirus originates from the acronym for "intermediate between arabis mosaic virus and lucerne transient streak virus," the two viruses used as models for its characterization. The word is spelled with the letter "i" at the beginning instead of "e" in order to differentiate it from another virus genus named Elarvirus. The IPA phonetic transcription aids in accurately pronouncing scientific terms such as Ilarvirus.
Ilarvirus is a generic term encompassing a group of plant viruses that belong to the family Bromoviridae. These viruses are classified under the genus Ilarvirus and are primarily known for infecting various fruit trees, ornamental plants, and legumes. The name "Ilarvirus" is derived from the acronym International Legume and Vegetable Virus Working Group, as the viruses were initially discovered to infect leguminous crops.
Ilarviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses characterized by their tripartite genome. The genome consists of three RNA molecules, each encoding different proteins required for viral replication and spread. The viruses spread through direct contact, mechanical transmission by infected tools, or by various insects, most notably aphids.
The symptoms caused by Ilarviruses vary depending on the host plant but generally include stunting, yellowing, leaf curling, mosaic patterns, and overall decline in plant growth and productivity. Infected fruit trees may exhibit malformation of fruits or reduced yield. These symptoms not only impact the aesthetic quality of the plants but also have significant economic consequences, particularly for commercial growers.
Control methods for Ilarvirus infections involve preventing the introduction of infected plants, implementing strict hygiene practices, ensuring proper insect control, and employing tolerant or resistant plant varieties. Additionally, prompt removal and destruction of infected plants can help reduce the spread of the virus within a crop or orchard.
In summary, Ilarviruses are plant viruses that infect a wide range of plant species, including fruit trees, ornamentals, and legumes. They cause symptoms such as stunting, yellowing, leaf curling, and reduced yield, leading to economic losses for farmers. Effective control measures focus on preventing introduction, practicing proper hygiene, and using resistant plant varieties.
The etymology of the word "ilarvirus" can be broken down as follows:
"Ilar": This component comes from the name "Ilarvirus", which is derived from the initial letters of the three main genera that form this group of plant viruses: Ilarvirus, associated with ilar-related diseases; Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), associated with alfalfa mosaic; and Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), associated with apple mosaic. The choice of the name "Ilarvirus" was coined by the International Committee on Virus Taxonomy to represent this group.
"Virus": This term originated from the Latin word "virus", which means "poison" or "slime". It was initially used to describe any substance capable of causing disease and was later adopted in the field of microbiology to refer specifically to infectious agents that replicate within living cells, causing various diseases.