Incursion of Tomato torrado virus in Hungary
In early October 2007, a tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum) showing unusual symptoms was observed in a commercial glasshouse in the county of Csongrád, South-Eastern Hungary. Symptoms were initially characterized by yellow blotches at the base of the leaflets which later developed into necrotic spots, giving a burnt-like appearance to the plant. These symptoms resembled those which have recently been described in association with Tomato torrado virus (ToTV), a newly described virus detected in Spain and Poland (EPPO RS 2007/128 and 2007/174). Laboratory analysis (DAS-ELISA, RT-PCR, dot-blot hybridization) of one leaf sample confirmed the presence of ToTV. Other tomato viruses such as Potato virus Y, Tomato mosaic virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus and Pepino mosaic virus were not detected. The identification of ToTV was confirmed by another laboratory in Spain (Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia). The source of this infection was unknown. Tomato seeds originated from the Netherlands but the possible role of seeds in disease transmission has not been clarified. It is suspected that the disease is mainly transmitted by Trialeurodes vaporariorum.
In Hungary, no official measures were taken as the ToTV infection was detected at the end of the growing season and all tomato plants were destroyed as part of routine practice. Since this outbreak, no new infection has been observed at this place of production and biological control has been applied to maintain whitefly population density at a low level. A national survey will be conducted to determine the current status of ToTV in Hungary.
The pest status of Tomato torrado virus in Hungary is officially declared as: Absent, eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Hungary, 2008-06.