Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus (Benyviridae)

Benyviruses are rod-shaped multipartite positive-sense RNA viruses. Presently, they represent the only known genus Benyvirus in the family Benyviridae. The hosts for benyviruses comprise mono- and dicotyledonous plants. Benyvirus infection can cause strong disease symptoms and heavy crop losses in susceptible plants. The most intensely studied benyvirus is beet necrotic yellow vein virus, the causal agent of rhizomania. For some benyviruses the plasmodiophorid Polymyxa betae or P. graminis, respectively, have been identified as vectors, for others, the vector still remains unknown. Resistant plants are the only efficient means to control virus disease; however, not for every benyvirus species resistant varieties are available.