Studies on the seed transmission of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus in Italy
The transmission of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) through seeds has been studied in Italy (near Ragusa, south of Sicily) on seeds and plantlets of tomato (Lycospersicon esculentum), aubergine (Solanum melongena), capsicum (Capsicum annuum) and periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) by serological methods (double diffusion and ELISA). In nurseries, using nets preventing thrips infestation, TSWV was found in plantlets suggesting that the virus could be seed transmitted. Seeds of capsicum and tomato were found infected by TSWV but no positive result was obtained for aubergine and periwinkle seeds. Infected plants of capsicum and tomato obtained both from commercial seeds and from seeds collected from symptomatic fruits were detected. The authors concluded that TSWV can be transmitted through seeds, though probably at a low percentage.
Sources
Davino, M.; D'Urso, F.; Carbone, M. (1994) Investigations to ascertain transmission of tomato spotted wilt virus through seeds of different herbaceous hosts.
Paper presented at the 9th Congress of the Mediterranean Phytopathological Union.