EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF TOMATO SPOTTED WILT VIRUS INFECTION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

A survey to the occurrence of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was performed in more than 160 gardenings from 1992 till 1995. Natural TSWV infections were found in 60 gardenings and in 64 plant species, of which 36 ornamental plant species, 19 weed plant species, 6 vegetables, 2 agricultural crops and one woody plant (Sambucus nigra).

Commercial kits to TSWV, INSV and the TOSPO-group from Loewe-Biochemica and Bioreba (Germany) were used for diagnosis in DAS-ELISA as well as biological tests on indicator plants.

The most frequently-infected plant species were tomato, Chrysanthemum sp., Zantedeschia sp., pepper, Gerbera jamesonii, Impatiens sp., Asparagus sprengeri and the weed plants Stellaria media, Galinsoga parviflora and Symphythum officinale. TSWV reservoirs in our conditions are mainly vegetatively-propagated ornamental plants reacting on the infection with mild symptoms or being symptomless.

In summer time TSWV occurred also in field grown plants and weeds in the vicinity of glasshouses.
It was proved that TSWV overwintered in field-grown Stellaria media and that Frankliniella occidentalis overwintered in unheated glasshouses and plastic tunnels.
In their vicinity living Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci were found during the winter period in the south-eastern part of our country.

In the woody plant Sambucus nigra growing in the vicinity of glasshouses natural TSWV infection was repeatedly detected.
In our experiments TSWV was transmitted by thrips to Sambucus nigra, Symphoricapos albus and Weigela florida and by mechanical inoculation to Buddleia davidii, Gleditschia tricanthos, Hydrangea sp., Ligustrum vulgare, Lonicera japonica and Ulmus pumila var. arborea.

IX International Symposium on Virus Diseases of Ornamental Plants

J. Mertelík, B. Götzová, V. Mokrá

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1996.432.45