Reduction in vertical transmission rate of Bean common mosaic virus in bee-pollinated common bean plants

Abstract Vertical transmission, the transfer of pathogens across generations, is a critical mechanism for the persistence of plant viruses. The transmission mechanisms are diverse, involving direct invasion through the suspensor and virus entry into developing gametes before achieving symplastic isolation. Despite the progress in understanding vertical virus transmission, the environmental factors influencing this process remain largely unexplored. We investigated the complex interplay between vertical transmission of plant viruses and pollination dynamics, focusing on the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The intricate relationship between plants and pollinators, especially bees, is essential for global ecosystems and crop productivity. We explored the impact of virus infection on seed transmission rates, with a particular emphasis on the bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Under controlled growth conditions, BCMNV exhibited the highest seed transmission rate, followed by BCMV and CMV. Notably, bee-pollinated BCMV-infected plants outdoors showed a reduced transmission rate compared to self-pollinated plants. This highlights the influence of pollinators on virus transmission dynamics. The findings provide valuable insights into the species-specific nature of virus seed transmission and underscore the importance of considering environmental factors, such as pollination, in understanding and managing plant virus spread.