Unveiling the landscape of plant virology in Saudi Arabia: seven decades of progress and future directions toward Vision 2030.

内容摘要

Plant viruses pose a persistent and escalating threat to global agriculture and food security, inflicting over $30 billion in annual losses - a challenge acutely felt in Saudi Arabia as it strives for agricultural self-sufficiency under Vision 2030. This is the first comprehensive review which presents seven decades of plant virology research in the Kingdom, from early symptom-based diagnosis to advanced molecular, genomic, and bioinformatics advances. A total of ~81 plant viral species infecting 46 plant host species have been documented across the major agroecological regions, dominated by positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses (~70%). Among these viruses, some are economically most destructive-including alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, soilborne cereal mosaic virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, zucchini yellow mosaic virus, watermelon chlorotic stunt virus, and barley mild mosaic virus-posing recurrent challenges to key crops such as alfalfa, cucurbits, and tomatoes. Network analysis of virus distribution revealed strong epidemiological linkages among central and western agricultural regions, possibly driven by intensive cultivation and vector ecology. The review highlights emerging management strategies including CRISPR-Cas diagnostics, RNA interference, AI-based detection, nanotechnology, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Gaps persist in genomic surveillance, vector ecology, and biosecurity enforcement. The review concludes with future research priorities emphasizing innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of a national plant virus genomic and surveillance framework to secure sustainable agriculture in line with Vision 2030.