Details on the situation of tomato yellow leaf curl disease in Italy
Since the late 1980s, tomato crops in Sicily and Sardinia have been severely affected by yellow leaf curl disease. Molecular studies have identified the causal agent as being Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV, formerly TYLCV-Sar - EPPO A2 list). It can be recalled that another viral species which was originally described in Israel as TYLCV-Is is now called simply Tomato yellow leaf curl begomovirus (TYLCV - EPPO A2 list).
Surveys have been conducted in the main tomato production areas of Sicilia, in Ragusa Province, to determine whether viral species other than TYLCSV were present. Until the end of 2001 only TYLCSV was identified. In 2002, symptomatic leaf samples were collected in April, September and November from 8 glasshouse tomato crops, in different areas of Ragusa Province and tested by PCR. Of the 49 tested samples, 16 gave positive results for TYLCSV, 7 for TYLCV and 26 showed mixed infections. According to the authors, this is the first report of TYLCV in Italy.
Sources
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Accotto, G.P.; Bragaloni, M.; Luison, D.; Davino, S.; Davino, M. (2003) First report of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in Italy.
New Disease Reports, Volume 7: February 2003 - July 2003.
http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/july2003/2003-26.htm
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