Solanaceous host plants of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus
Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV - EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has a very wide host range. Studies were carried out in France on the solanaceous hosts of the virus (natural and artificial hosts). A probably non-exhaustive list of solanaceous hosts established from the literature already gave 103 plant species names (from 20 genera, including natural and experimental hosts).
Natural infections observed in southern France
Tomato: In France, TSWV was first observed in tomato fields in 1933. The virus was not observed for a long period but reappeared in 1987. Since then serious outbreaks leading to crop destruction occurred in Côte d'Azur, Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, as well as in the overseas island of Réunion.
Capsicum: Natural infections have been observed since 1989, especially in Alpes-Maritimes, Pyrénées-Orientales, Provence and Rhône-Alpes.
Aubergine: TSWV was not detected in aubergine until 1993, but serious outbreaks have since been reported from field crops in Provence and Pyrénées-Orientales.
Tobacco: So far, TSWV infections on tobacco are very limited in France.
Weeds: samples of solanaceous weeds were collected near infested fields and TWSV was detected in Solanum nigrum and S. dulcamara.
Experimental hosts
Artificial inoculation studies made with numerous species of the genera: Atropa, Datura, Capsicum, Hyoscyamus, Nicotiana, Petunia, Physalis, Saracha, Salpichroa, contributed to increase the list of solanaceous hosts of TSWV (from the 103 previously listed species to 148).
Sources
Gognalons, P.; Gebre-Selassie, K.; Marchoux, G. (1999) La gamme d'hôtes du TSWV continue à s'étendre.
Phytoma - La Défense des Végétaux, no. 512, 4751.