Host Range Studies for Tomato chlorosis virus, and Cucumber vein yellowing virus Transmitted by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)

Abstract

The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B transmitted host range of Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), genus Crinivirus, Family Closteroviridae, and Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV), genus Ipomovirus, Family Potyviridae, was studied. New experimental hosts were identified for each of these viruses. Seventeen species in eight plant families were assessed as potential hosts for ToCV. Infection in asymptomatic Anthriscus cereifolium (chervil) test plants by ToCV was confirmed by using a Real-Time PCR assay designed for ToCV. The presence of readily transmissible, infectious ToCV virions in A. cereifolium was confirmed by re-isolation of the virus via whitefly-transmission from A. cereifolium to Lycopersicon esculentum and A. cereifolium. This is the first report of the experimental transmission of ToCV by B. tabaci to a species within the Umbelliferae. All other hosts assessed for the presence of ToCV were found to be uninfected. Ten species in five families were assessed as potential hosts for CVYV. The CVYV host range identified included some important crops and common weeds, such as L. esculentum, Nicotiana tabacum, A. cereifolium, Datura stramonium, Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana clevlandii and Cucumis sativus. Symptoms were present on D. stramonium, N. benthamiana and C. sativus control plants. The presence of infectious whitefly transmitted CVYV virions was confirmed solely for D. stramonium and N. tabacum, following re-isolation of the virus via B. tabaci transmission from all infected species to C. sativus. This is the first report of experimental CVYV transmission by B. tabaci to non-cucurbitaceous crop and weed hosts belonging to the Solanaceae or Umbelliferae.