Evaluation of Eggplant Cultivars for Tomato Spotted Wilt Orthotospovirus (TSWV) Disease Tolerance in Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is widely consumed vegetables like potato and tomato. Worldwide, the eggplant is cultivated in all regions and Turkey is the fourth largest eggplant-producer. It is a rich source of minerals and as a low-calorie fruit. Eggplant plays a vital role having high phenolic content which enhance the radical absorbing capacity. Objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) on five different eggplant cultivars (Kemer, Aydın Siyahı, Halep Karası, Topan and Silindirik) under greenhouse conditions. Eggplant cultivars were mechanically inoculated with TSWV isolates and tested by DAS-ELISA method. According to DAS-ELISA and visible virus-like symptoms, all tested cultivars were susceptible to TSWV infection and showed typical tospo-like symptoms including concentric ringspot, necrosis, chlorotic ringspot, and necrotic ringspot. The highest infection rate was observed in Kemer (58%) followed by Topan (52%) whereas, the lowest infection rate was noticed in Silindirik (38%). Infection of TSWV caused significant (p≤0.05) reduction in fruit number (32.99-59.34%), fruit length (17.12-49.76%), fruit diameter (12.44-38.30%), fruit weight (31.31-67.70%), flesh thickness (18.11-46.05%), total soluble solid (16.83-40.69%), fruit color, fruit firmness (4.88-29.25%) and yield (50.22-84.22%) in infected plants. According to the results obtained, the cultivar Silindirik performed better performance against TSWV among all the tested cultivars. Whereas the performance of the Kemer and Topan was poor making them more sensitive to TSWV. These results will help breeders for the development of TSWV resistant varieties by using these tolerant cultivars.