Risk assessment for the Bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV)

The Bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV) is a member of the Mastreviruses within the family Geminiviridae. The virus possesses a circular ssDNA genome packaged in a non-enveloped, icosahedral capsid. BeYDV was initially isolated from Beans from South African fields after very high crop losses were recorded there. The affected bean plants showed leathery primary leaves, thickened and shortened internodes, and curled leaves. It is suspected that the bean is not the actual host plant of the virus, as bean plants are not naturally distributed in South Africa. Later, BeYDV was isolated from chickpeas in Pakistan. Geminiviruses are mainly transmitted by Insect vectors transmitted. For mastreviruses, these are leafhoppers, which also transmit the viruses in a species-specific manner. However, the species transmitting BeYDV has not yet been described. BeYDV is characterized by its specificity for dicotyledonous plants. An induced, mechanical transmission of BeYDV from an infected plant to other dicotyledonous plants has not been successful so far. However, the Agrobacterium-mediated transmission of the viral BeYDV genome led to the formation of infectious viruses in various model plants (e.g., Nicotiana tabacum or Arabidopsis thaliana), where they spread systemically and led to the expression of pathogenicity traits. In genetic engineering work, BeYDV-based vectors frequently used for the expression of recombinant proteins in plants. BeYDV is not infectious to humans or animals.

Based on the “Criteria for the evaluation and classification of plant viruses, phytopathogenic fungi and phytopathogenic bacteria as donor and recipient organisms for genetic engineering work” (Ref. 6790-10-53)”, BeYDV is, as a precautionary measure, submitted to the ZKBS in accordance with Section 5 Paragraph 1 GenTSV in conjunction with the criteria in Annex 1 GenTSV as a donor and recipient organism for genetic engineering work. Risk group 2 The reason given is that BeYDV causes economic damage to crops that are also widespread in Germany and neighboring countries. The viruses have not yet been detected in Europe. The BeYDV vector is currently unknown, so it cannot be ruled out that suitable vectors also exist in Germany.

The current ZKBS risk assessment for BeYDV can be found at File number 45242.0203 can be retrieved.