Tomato leaf curl geminiviruses present in Tanzania
In October 1994, leaf samples of tomato showing yellow mottle, severe leaf curl, stunting and upright stems were collected from Makutupora in Tanzania (Chiang et al., 1997). Leaf tissue squashed on nylon membranes did not hybridize with DNA-A probes from several isolates of tomato yellow leaf curl bigeminivirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). Molecular studies have shown that the Tanzanian geminivirus presents rather low similarities with other previously characterised geminivirus of the Old World, and is therefore considered as a distinct virus (called TLCV-Tan). However, other tissue squash blots with samples collected in other areas in Tanzania gave strong reactions with the probe developed for ;the Egyptian isolate of tomato yellow leaf curl bigeminivirus.
Another study (Nono-Womdim et al., 1996) reports that tomato yellow leaf curl bigeminivirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been found in Tanzania. In 1993-94, surveys were carried out on the major tomato viruses in 12 different regions. Symptomatology, gel immunodiffusion tests, ELISA and squash blot hybridization assays were used. Tomato yellow leaf curl bigeminivirus appears as widespread and economically important in Tanzania. This is the first report of this virus in Tanzania according to the EPPO Secretariat.
Sources
Chiang, B.T.; Nakhla, M.K.; Maxwell, D.P.; Schoenfelder, M.; Green, S.K. (1997) A new geminivirus associated with a leaf curl disease of tomato in Tanzania.
Plant Disease, 81(1), p 111.
Nono-Womdim, R.; Swai, I.S.; Green, S.K.; Gebre-Selassie, K.; Laterrot, H.; Marchoux, G. Opeña, R.T. (1996) Tomato viruses in Tanzania: identification, distribution and disease incidence.
Journal of the Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences, 6(1), 41-44.
Review of Plant Pathology, 76(2), p 178 (Abst. 1373).