Survey on tospoviruses of tomato crops in Argentina
In Argentina, tomato crops are affected by three tospoviruses: Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV - EPPO A2 quarantine pest), Tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) and Groundnut ringspot tospovirus (GRSV). Their incidence is variable but, in some cases, it was estimated that crop losses could reach up to 80;%. Surveys were done in 1996/1997 in the major tomato-growing areas: northwest (provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán), centre (Córdoba), northeast and coastal (Corrientes, Santa Fé, Buenos Aires), Río Negro valley (Río Negro). 420 tomato samples showing suspect symptoms were collected and tested (DAS-ELISA) for the presence of the three viruses. Out of the 420 tested samples, 170 gave positive results, and 63% were identified as GRSV, 28.2% as TCSV and 8.8% as TSWV. GRSV was found in central and northwest region, TCSV was found in the northeast and coastal region, and TSWV was only found in the Río Negro valley. The authors thought that this may be correlated with the presence of thrips vectors. It is noted that Frankliniella occidentalis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) is thought to transmit TSWV more efficiently than the two other tospovirus species, and that F. schultzei can transmit TCSV but not TSWV. More studies on the distribution and transmission efficacy of thrips are needed.
Sources
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Williams, L.V.; López Lambertini, P.M.; Shohara, K.; Biderbost, E.B. (2001) Occurrence and geographical distribution of tospovirus species infecting tomato crops in Argentina.
Plant Disease, 85(12), 1227-1229.
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