New hosts plants of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus
1) Studies have been carried out in Spain to identify hosts of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (potential EPPO A2 quarantine pest) in areas where the disease is prevalent. 65 plant species have been tested by using DAS-ELISA. 32 plant species were found infected among which 9 are new hosts of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus. Two are ornamental plants: Limonium sinuatum and Moluccella laevis, and others are the following weeds: Amaranthus blitum, Cynodon dactylon, Galium tricornutum, G. parisiense, Lamium amplexicaule, Silene vulgaris and Sonchus tenerrimus.
2) In July 1992, approximately 5 % of field-grown lentil (Lens culinaris) in central Brazil (Brasilia-DF) showed symptoms of chlorosis and malformation of the apical leaves, ringspot lesions on pods and stunting. The causal agent was identified as tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (potential EPPO A2 quarantine pest). The authors felt that this new disease may become an important limiting factor for lentil production in central Brazil, as the crop is grown during the dry season (April-September) which corresponds to the highest infestation of viruliferous thrips in the region. This is the first report of a natural infection of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus on lentil.
3) In Emilia-Romagna and Toscana (Italy), infections of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (potential EPPO A2 quarantine pest) and impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus have been reported in Columnea spp. (ornamentals), in 1992. The authors noted that infections with these two viruses have recently been reported in Germany and USA. Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus was found on plants showing yellow systemic mosaic and malformed leaves. Impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus was detected in some plants showing necrotic spot on the leaves. Mixed infections were found in dwarfed Columnea which did not bloom and produced deformed leaves showing mosaic and necrosis.
4) Finally, since October 1994 the Plant Protection Service of the Netherlands has found the following new species infected by tomato spotted wilt tospovirus, originated from the Netherlands, from abroad or from both: Bromelia (Bromeliaceae), Cestrum rubrum (Solanaceae), Lobelia valida, Oxypetalum (Asclepiadaceae), Pachypodium (Apocynaceae).
Sources
Jordá, C.; Ortega, A.; Juarez, M. (1995) New hosts of tomato spotted wilt virus.
Plant Disease, 79(5), p 358.
Fonseca, M.E.N.; Boiteux, L.S.; de Avila, A.C.; Lima, M.I.; Kitajima, E.W. (1995) Detection of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus in lentil.
Plant Disease, 79(3), p 320.
Bellardi, M.G.; Vicchi, V. (1995) [Columnea spp. natural host of tospoviruses in Italy.]
Informatore Fitopatologico, 45(5), 62-64.
Plant Protection Service of the Netherlands, 1995-10.