First record of Tomato chlorosis virus in Cuba
In Cuba, whitefly-transmitted viruses have caused severe losses in tomato crops (Lycopersicon esculentum) during the last decades. In 2006 and 2007, high population levels of Bemisia tabaci biotype B were observed across the eastern part of Cuba, as well as some tomato plants showing virus symptoms (interveinal chlorosis, severe yellow mosaic and leaf brittleness). 31 symptomatic samples were collected and tested (PCR assays, sequencing, dot-blot hybridization). Results showed that 16 samples were infected by Tomato chlorosis virus (Crinivirus, ToCV – EPPO A2 List), 4 by Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (Begomovirus, TYLCV – EPPO A2 List) and 8 by both viruses (3 samples were negative). This is the first report of ToCV in Cuba.
The situation of Tomato chlorosis virus in Cuba can be described as follows: Present, detected in 2006/2007 on a small number of symptomatic tomato samples.
Sources
Martínez-Zubiaur Y, Fiallo-Ollivé E, Carrillo-Tripp J, Rivera-Bustamante R (2008) First report of Tomato chlorosis virus infecting tomato in single and mixed infections with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Cuba. Plant Disease 92(5), p 836.