First report of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus in Estonia
The NPPO of Estonia recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first detection of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (Begomovirus, ToLCNDV – EPPO Alert List) on its territory. During an official survey, ToLCNDV was detected in a fruit production site in the municipality of Halinga. The virus was found in 2 glasshouses (0.1 ha each), one producing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit and the other cucumbers (Cucumis sativus). 5 samples had been collected from different cultivars of tomato (2) and cucumber (3) plants. ToLCNDV was detected by PCR and sequencing in one tomato sample (cv. Sakura) and one cucumber sample (cv. Kostas). The seeds had been acquired from a retailer in Estonia. In addition, there were 10 tomato and 10 cucumber plants grown by the grower from seeds bought during a tourist trip to Tenerife (ES). As the seed packages had been discarded, the cultivars could not be ascertained. There were no visible symptoms on tomato plants, but symptoms could be observed on cucumber plants, including those grown from seeds bought in Tenerife.
Phytosanitary measures will be taken to eradicate the disease. It will be prohibited to move infected plants from the production site concerned and to collect seeds from diseased plants. Commercialization of fruit will be permitted only for consumption. All plants grown in the infected greenhouses will be destroyed under official supervision after harvest. The greenhouses concerned and all equipment that has been in contact with the infected plants will be disinfected.
The pest status of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus in Estonia is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Estonia (2019-06).