Viral Infection and Altered Nutrient Dynamics in Vegetable Crops
摘要
Vegetable crops are vital for global food and nutritional security; however, their productivity and quality are severely constrained by viral diseases. Beyond visible symptoms and yield losses, viral infections profoundly alter plant physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes, particularly nutrient uptake, translocation, and assimilation. Plant viruses disrupt source–sink relationships, vascular transport, photosynthesis, and redox balance, leading to imbalances in both macro- and micronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, and sulfur. These nutrient perturbations not only compromise plant growth and defense capacity but also deteriorate the nutritional and functional quality of harvested produce. The magnitude of these effects depends on host–virus interactions, nutrient availability, infection stage, and environmental conditions. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of major viral pathogens of vegetable crops, their transmission mechanisms, and their influence on nutrient dynamics. It critically examines virus-induced changes in nutrient uptake, metabolism, and allocation, along with associated physiological and biochemical consequences. Management strategies integrating balanced nutrition, resistant cultivars, biotechnological interventions, and integrated disease management are discussed to mitigate viral impacts. Understanding virus–nutrient interactions is essential for developing sustainable approaches to safeguard vegetable productivity, quality, and food security under changing climatic conditions.