Journal of Plant Pathology (2007) 89, S52-S53

G. Parrella and F. Filella (2007)
A severe outbreak of Tomato infectious chlorosis virus in lettuce and escarole in southern Italy
Journal of Plant Pathology 89 (3, Suppl.), S52-S53
Poster Presentation at S.I.Pa.V XIV National Meeting - Perugia, Italy 19-21 Sept. 2007
Abstract: Tomato infectious cholorosis virus (TICV), a member of the genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae, is the causal agent of yellowing diseases in several vegetable crops grown under protected environments. It is a phloem-limited bipartite genome virus, transmitted by the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum in a semi-persistent manner. In 2005 and 2006, a severe disease of lettuce cv. Romana (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia) and escarole (Cichorium endivia var. latifolium) characterized by intervenial yellowing of the leaves was observed in Calabria (Southern Italy). The percentage of affected plants ranged between 70 and 80% for both crops. Leaf samples collected from symptomatic plants were positive in RT-PCR assays when degenerate primers for criniviruses were used. The identity of the virus was then assessed using TICV-specific primers and probe. Transmission tests with viruliferus T. vaporariorum collected form infected lettuce and escarole, reproduced the symptoms on healthy plants after about one month from exposure to the insects. Based on biological and molecular data, TICV was for the first time detected in lettuce in Italy and for the first time in escarole, which could consequently represent a new concern for these crops, at least in Southern Italy. Although the distribution of TICV and its impact on lettuce and escarole production need to be further investigated in Italy, these data confirm that whitefly- transmitted viruses are increasing their importance worldwide, becoming a potential limiting factor for many crops, also in some previously unaffected temperate areas of the Mediterranean basin.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Giuseppe Parrella

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tomato infectious chlorosis virus	Lettuce (Lactuca)	Italy
	Tomato infectious chlorosis virus	Chicory/endive (Cichorium)	Italy