First report of tomato yellow leaf curl begomovirus in Morocco
In July 1998, tomato plants showing shortened internodes, reduced leaf size and leaf curling were observed in the coastal region near Casablanca, Morocco. In September 1998, more than 130 ha of outdoor and protected tomato crops were affected by the disease. Crop losses ranged between 20 to 100 %. Similar symptoms were also seen in tomato crops in the north-eastern region of Morocco. During the same period, high populations of Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) were observed on tomatoes, capsicums and weeds (Sonchus oleraceus, Chenopodium, Malva parviflora, Datura stramonium). Tomato yellow leaf curl begomovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was identified by PCR in symptomatic tomato samples. This is the first report of tomato yellow leaf curl begomovirus in Morocco. The authors noted that during the 1996/97 growing season, similar symptoms had already been observed by a farmer in the Casablanca region on imported, grafted tomatoes.
Sources
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Peterschmitt, P.; Granier, M.; Aboulama, S. (1999) First report of tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus in Morocco.
Plant Disease, 83(11), p 1074.
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