First report of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus in Italy
In October 2015, unusual symptoms were observed on zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo) grown in open fields of the Province of Trapani (Sicilia), Italy. Symptoms were characterized by yellow mosaic, severe leaf curling, swelling of veins on young leaves, shortening of internodes, roughness of the fruit skin and reduced fruit size. Molecular analysis (PCR, sequencing) confirmed the presence of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (Begomovirus, ToLCNDV – EPPO Alert List) in symptomatic samples. This is the first time that ToLCNDV is reported from Italy.
The situation of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus in Italy can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2015 in outdoor crops of Cucurbita pepo in Sicilia.
Sources
Panno S, Iacono G, Davino M, Marchione S, Zappardo V, Bella P, Tomassoli L, Accotto GP, Davino S (2016) First report of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus affecting zucchini squash in an important horticultural area of southern Italy. New Disease Reports 33, 6 http://dx.doi.org/10.5197/j.2044-0588.2016.033.006