First report of Tomato chlorosis virus in China
In October 2012, a severe yellowing disease was observed on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) grown under greenhouses and plastic houses in Beijing, China. The disease incidence varied from 5 to 82% in each of 6 sites across Haidian and Daxing districts (Beijing). Large populations of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) were observed in diseased tomato crops. Leaf samples were collected from 8 symptomatic and 2 asymptomatic tomato plants in the Haidian district. Molecular tests (RT-PCR, sequencing) confirmed the presence of Tomato chlorosis virus (Crinivirus, ToCV – EPPO A2 List) in the 8 symptomatic samples. This is the first time that ToCV is reported from China. As tomato is widely grown in China, it is considered that the possible spread of ToCV may cause significant economic losses. It is stressed that further studies are needed to determine the distribution and impact of ToCV in China.
The situation of Tomato chlorosis virus in China can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2012 in Beijing on tomato crops (protected cultivation).
Sources
Zhao RN, Wang R, Wang N, Fan ZF, Zhou T, Shi YC, Chai M (2013) First report of Tomato chlorosis virus in China. Plant Disease 97(8), p 1123.