Plant Pathology (2013) 62, 1407-1414

R. Birithia, S. Subramanian, H.R. Pappu, J. Muthomi and R.D. Narla (2013)
Analysis of iris yellow spot virus replication in vector and non-vector thrips species
Plant Pathology 62 (6), 1407-1414
Abstract: Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV, genus Tospovirus) is a viral disease of bulb and seed onion crops and is transmitted by Thrips tabaci. Foliage damage of up to 75% has been reported in Kenya and Uganda. In this study, the rate of IYSV replication in the larva, pupa and adult stages of T. tabaci and other non-vector thrips species and colour forms such as Frankliniella occidentalis, F. schultzei (dark) and F. schultzei (pale) was evaluated by monitoring relative levels of nucleocapsid (N) and non-structural (NSs) proteins using N- and NSs-specific antibodies. The effect of IYSV replication on mortality of thrips was also determined. N protein levels increased in all three stages of IYSV-fed T. tabaci, indicating replication of IYSV. In IYSV-fed non-vector thrips, the increase of N protein levels in the larval stage was lower than IYSV-fed T. tabaci but higher than their healthy counterparts. The N protein levels did not increase at pupal and adult stages. NSs protein was not detected in first instar of either vector or non-vector thrips species. After a 4 h post-acquisition period, a significant increase in NSs proteins was only observed in IYSV-fed T. tabaci, clearly differentiating vectors and non-vectors of IYSV. IYSV replication did not influence the survival of the vector thrips species, T. tabaci populations or the non-vector thrips species. This study indicates the effectiveness of monitoring non-structural proteins such as NSs, compared to nucleocapsid proteins, for differentiating vectors and non-vectors of IYSV.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Sevgan Subramanian, Hanu R. Pappu

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis
	Thrips tabaci	Onion/garlic/leek (Allium)	Kenya
	Thrips tabaci	Onion/garlic/leek (Allium)	Uganda
	Frankliniella schultzei
	Orthotospovirus iridimaculaflavi	Onion/garlic/leek (Allium)	Kenya
	Orthotospovirus iridimaculaflavi	Onion/garlic/leek (Allium)	Uganda