Surveillance, Genetic Diversity and Integrated Management of Emerging or Re-emerging Plant Viruses in Vegetables

Plant virology represents a cornerstone of modern crop protection, as viruses remain among the most devastating agents limiting vegetable production and threatening global food security. Recent advances in molecular biology, genomics, and epidemiology have revealed the extraordinary adaptability of plant viruses, shaped by high mutation rates, frequent recombination events, and gene flow mediated by insect vectors and human activity. The pressures of climate change, global trade, and intensive monocropping systems further accelerate viral emergence and re-emergence, introducing new genetic variants into agroecosystems. These dynamics challenge existing control measures, leading to resistance breakdown and increased economic losses. Although significant progress has been made in viral genome sequencing, diagnostic development, and transmission biology, major gaps remain in the real-time surveillance of viral diversity and the integration of multi-disciplinary data into actionable management frameworks.This Research Topic aims to deepen the understanding of the surveillance, genetic diversity, and integrated management of emerging and re-emerging vegetable viruses. Specifically, it seeks to unravel how virus evolution, host-pathogen interactions, and environmental changes shape disease epidemiology and crop vulnerability. The objective is to evaluate current surveillance programs, enhance early detection systems using molecular and digital tools, and promote integrated disease management strategies that combine resistance breeding, vector control, and sustainable agronomic practices. Key questions include how viral recombination drives pathogenic evolution, how resistant cultivars can be designed for durability, and how surveillance data can guide timely interventions in vegetable production systems.To gather further insights into the interface of molecular virology, ecology, and crop management, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Mechanisms of genetic diversity, mutation, and recombination in plant viruseso Development of genomic and metagenomic tools for viral surveillance and diagnosticso Impact of climate change and global trade on the spread and evolution of vegetable viruseso Functional studies on virus-vector-host interactions and transmission dynamicso Strategies for integrated virus management, including host resistance, vector control, and cultural practiceso Omics-based identification of resistance genes and molecular breeding for virus-tolerant varietieso Data-driven modelling and digital surveillance platforms for early warning and containment Topic editors: Manish Kumar, Veerendra Sharma, R Vinoth Kumar Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85529/surveillance-genetic-diversity-and-integrated-management-of-emerging-or-re-emerging-plant-viruses-in-vegetables