Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection (2009) 42, 99-111

N. Verma, K. Kumar, S. Kulshrestha, G. Raikhy, V. Hallan, R. Ram, A.A. Zaidi and I.D. Garg (2009)
Molecular studies on Tomato aspermy virus isolates infecting chrysanthemums
Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection 42 (2), 99-111
Abstract: Tomato aspermy virus (TAV), an important viral pathogen of chrysanthemums, was detected by double antibody sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) from chrysanthemums exhibiting mottling and deformed inflorescence grown in various states of India. Out of 15 cultivars (cvs.) tested, 11 (73.3%) were found to be positive for TAV. On sap inoculation the virus produced local lesions on Chenopodium spp. and Cucumis sativus. Nicotiana clevelandii, N. glutinosa, N. megalosiphon and N. tabacum reacted systemically to the virus producing severe mosaic, leaf deformation and characteristic leaf enations. Tomato plants produced malformed fruits (2-3/plant) with a few seeds. Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii transmitted the virus non-persistently. Electron microscopy of partially purified viral preparations revealed polyhedral virions (ca. 29 nm dia). Cytopathology of infected leaves of N. clevelandii showed crystalline inclusions containing virions in the central vacuole of infected cells. The virions showed very good clumping with antiserum to TAV in liquid phase immuno-electron microscopy.
Slot blot hybridization was performed to detect the virus in various chrysanthemum cultivars. The virus positivity was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nucleotide sequencing of coat protein gene (CP). The amplified 657 bp fragment was about 97% identical with respect to CP sequences of other TAV isolates available in the database. In terms of derived amino acid sequence similarity, the homology value was 99%. In order to amplify RNA 1, RNA 2 and RNA 3, multiplex RT-PCR was performed. High genetic similarities of CP gene of TAV Indian isolates with that of other isolates of TAV indicate their probable common ancestry.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Aijaz Asghar Zaidi, Raja Ram

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tomato aspermy virus	Chrysanthemum (genus)