Phytoparasitica (1999) 27 (3) - The current status of ...
A. Gera, Anat Kritzman, J. Cohen and B. Raccah (1999)
The current status of tospoviruses in Israel
Phytoparasitica 27 (3)
16th Conference of the Entomological Society of Israel - Research on Thrips in Israel, May 13, 1999, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract: Tospoviruses are rated among the ten most devastating plant viruses. Their impact is enormous, due mainly to their extremely broad host range, which exceeds 1000 different plant species in more than 75 distinct botanical families, and their worldwide distribution. The western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis, is the most efficient vector of these viruses. This study was initiated to identify crops that may serve as hosts for tospoviruses in major ornamental and vegetable production areas of Israel. Here we report the occurrence of tomato spotted wilt (TSWV), impatiens necrotic spot (INSV) and iris yellow spot (IYSV) tospoviruses in cultivated ornamental and vegetable crops, and the biological characterization of the viruses. Symptoms associated with infection by TSWV were documented among ornamental and vegetable crops growing in commercial greenhouses and open fields in Israel. Among cultivated plants analyzed for TSWV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Anemone coronaria, Asclepias tuberosa, Eustoma, Aster, Vinca, New Guinea Impatiens, Gerbera, Zinnia, Cestrum, Celosia, Lycopersicon esculentum, Capsicum annuum, Hippeastrum sp., Lactuca sativa and Cucumis sativus were found to be infected in several places in Israel. Natural infection was also seen in six weed species. The incidences of the virus were all correlated with the occurrence of high populations of the efficient vector F. occidentalis. During 1997, IYSV was detected in Hippeastrum sp. and Allium cepa (onion) at various locations in the Bet She'an Valley. The high incidence of the disease that was observed in the surrounding fields and in other onion-growing areas, was associated with large populations of the onion thrips (Thrips tabaci). The transmission of the virus from infected onion to onion leaf disks by the WFT and T. tabaci was discussed. In January 1999, INSV was detected in Anemone coronaria L., imported from Europe, and grown in open fields near Jerusalem. INSV is known to occur in Europe and in the USA, mostly in flowers grown in greenhouses. The virus is transmitted by F. occidentalis. The detection of tospoviruses in Israel and the wide distribution of thrips in the natural vegetation, may be an important constraint for vegetable and ornamental production in this country. Precautions must be taken to prevent further introduction of tospoviruses. INSV might spread by the WFT, which is abundant in Israel year round and might also infect further greenhouse or field crops.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Abed Gera, Benjamin Raccah
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases
