Tospoviruses of vegetable crops in Israel
In Israel, surveys were carried out on Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) in vegetable crops grown in the field and in glasshouses. Plants showing symptoms were collected from 1994-01 to 1998-12 in the major vegetable-growing regions, and were tested by ELISA. Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus was found in the following crops: tomato, capsicum, aubergine, lettuce, cabbage and cucumber. The presence of the virus was associated with high populations of Frankliniella occidentalis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). Seed transmission was also studied. The virus was detected by ELISA in seeds collected from naturally infected plants, but no virus transmission to progeny plants was obtained, up to 2 month after germination. Another tospovirus is reported from vegetable crops in Israel. During October 1997, 20-60 % of field-grown onions showed unusual symptoms of straw-coloured ringspots on leaves and flower stalks (see also EPPO RS 98/092). The presence of Iris yellow spot tospovirus (Alert List) was detected in diseased plants. A high incidence of the disease was observed in association with large populations of Thrips tabaci.
Sources
Gera, A.; Kritzman, A.; Cohen, J.; Raccah, B.; Antignus, Y. (2000) Tospoviruses infecting vegetable crops in Israel.
Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin, 30(2), 289-292.