First record of Tomato torrado virus in Panama
In February 2008, unusual disease symptoms were observed in field-grown tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) from the central regions of Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos, and Veraguas of Panama. Tomato production was seriously damaged. Symptoms were characterized by leaf deformation, necrosis, discoloration (purple margins, interveinal yellowing), necrotic lines in sepals and branches, fruits deformation, and severe stunting. To verify the identity of the disease, 5 symptomatic tomato plants from 4 fields of the affected regions were selected and tested (DAS-ELISA, PCR) for the presence of the following viruses: Cucumber mosaic virus (Cucumovirus, CMV), Potato virus X (Potexvirus), Potato virus Y (Potyvirus), Tomato mosaic virus (Tobamovirus), Tomato spotted wilt virus (Tospovirus – EPPO A2 List), Pepino mosaic virus (Potexvirus), Tomato torrado virus (ToTV - EPPO Alert List). ToTV was detected in all tested samples and CMV was found in 3 of these samples. No difference in symptomatology could be observed between samples infected by ToTV only or with both viruses. This is the first time that ToTV is detected in Panama and also the first report of mixed infections with CMV and ToTV.
Sources
Herrera-Vasquez JA, Alfaro-Fernández A, Cordoba-Selles MC, Cebrian MC, Font MI, Jorda C (2009) First report of Tomato torrado virus infecting tomato in single and mixed infections with Cucumber mosaic virus in Panama. Plant Disease 93(2), p 198.