Situation of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus in Greece
Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV - potential EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was recorded for the first time in 1972 in tobacco crops in northern Greece, and remained confined to tobacco for more than 15 years. In 1989, TSWV infections were found for the first time on vegetable crops (tomato and pepper) in northern Greece. The virus then spread throughout the country on several vegetable and ornamental crops. The early presence of TSWV was associated with Thrips tabaci, whereas its more recent spread seems to be related to the introduction of Frankliniella occidentalis. Surveys carried out in 1995 and 1996 showed that in tobacco crops, a very high virus incidence was found (up to 90 %) in Thessaloniki, Kilkis and Xanthi, a high incidence in Evros and Pellas and a low incidence in Drama, Serres and Kavala. Lettuce infection in the area of Chalkidiki was high (up to 80 %). Tomato and pepper crops were severely affected in glasshouses (up to 80 % on tomato, up to 85 % on pepper) or in open fields (up to 100 % on tomato, up to 90 % on pepper). Almost all ornamentals (Anemone, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Iris, Matthiola), except Aster, were heavily infected. Although, it appears that the spread of TSWV in vegetable and ornamental crops is ensured by F. occidentalis, the virus incidence in tobacco is still associated with T. tabaci.
Sources
Chatzivassiliou, E.K.; Katis, N.I.; Jenser, G. (1997) Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus in Greece: nine years after the invasion of Frankliniella occidentalis.
Proceedings of the 10th Congress of the Mediterranean Phytopathological Union, 1997-06-01/05, Montpellier (FR), 675-680.