First report of Tomato chlorosis virus in Mexico
Since 2005, symptoms of leaf yellowing have been observed in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fields in the Ahome, Culiacán, and Guasave counties of Sinaloa state, in northern Mexico. The symptoms, the scattered distribution of diseased plants within the fields and the presence of whiteflies suggested the presence of criniviruses. Leaf samples collected from 62 symptomatic tomato plants and from 4 weed species (Amaranthus retroflexus, Datura stramonium, Parthenium hysterophorus and Solanum nigrescens) were tested for the presence of Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV – EPPO A2 List) and Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV - EPPO Alert List). Molecular tests (PCR assays, sequencing) confirmed the presence of ToCV in 60% of the tested tomato samples and in the samples of Datura stramonium and Solanum nigrescens. TICV was not detected in any sample. This is the first report of ToCV in Mexico.
The situation of Tomato chlorosis virus in Mexico can be described as follows: Present, first observed in 2005 on tomato fields and weeds in Sinaloa state.
Sources
New Disease Reports. BSPP website (last retrieved 2007-04).
Alvarez-Ruiz P, Gámez Jimenez C, Leyva-López NE, Méndez-Lozano J (2007) First report of Tomato chlorosis virus infecting tomato crops in Sinaloa, Mexico. http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/jan2007/2006-88.asp