Journal of Phytopathology - Phytopathologische Zeitschrift (1996) 144, 147-150

R.D. Pares, L.V. Gunn and E.N. Keskula (1996)
The role of infective plant debris, and its concentration in soil, in the ecology of tomato mosaic tobamovirus - a non-vectored plant virus
Journal of Phytopathology - Phytopathologische Zeitschrift 144 (3), 147-150
Abstract: Only a few plants in a crop are generally thought to become infected by abiotic soil transmission. In glasshouse experiments we have induced almost total infection in tomatoes growing in soil with infective debris, but levels of infection are dependent upon certain conditions. We found that as the inoculum concentration decreased (i) a greater percentage of the infections were either latent (symptomless) or restricted to roots and (ii) infection levels decreased. Thus, apparent infection (based on symptoms) of c. 10% was in reality c. 60-70% based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoelectron microscopy testing of roots and leaves. This occurred whether seedlings or seed were planted into infected mix. Under conditions in which minimal root damage was caused (planting seed) or roots were mechanically inoculated only once, almost all systemically infected plants were symptomless.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tomato mosaic virus	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)