First record of Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus in Lebanon
In Lebanon, during spring and summer 2004, symptoms of Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV – EPPO A2 list) were observed in an isolated tomato field in a mountainous area (1000 m altitude). Seedlings had been produced in a nursery in the coastal area of Byblos. In spring 2005, similar symptoms appeared on tomato in the same mountainous area, as well as on tomato, capsicum and lettuce crops near Byblos (37 km north of Beirut). Analysis (serological and molecular tests) confirmed the presence of TSWV in tomato and lettuce samples. This is the first record of TSWV in Lebanon.
The situation of Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus in Lebanon can be described as follows: Present, first observed in 2004 in a few areas.
Sources
Abou-Jawdah Y, El Mohtar C, Sobh H, Nakhla MK (2006) First report of Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus on tomatoes in Lebanon. Plant Disease 90(3), p 376.