Search in Solanum (section Lycopersicon) germplasm for sources of broad-spectrum resistance to four Tospovirus species

Abstract

The genus Tospovirus was considered as monotypic with Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) being the only assigned species. However, extensive studies with worldwide isolates revealed that this genus comprises a number of species with distinct virulence profiles. The Neotropical South America is one center of Tospovirus diversity with many endemic species. Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV), TSWV, Tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV), and Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV) are the predominant tomato-infecting species in Brazil. Sources of resistance were found in Solanum (section Lycopersicon) mainly against TSWV isolates from distinct continents, but there is an overall lack of information about resistance to other viral species. One-hundred and five Solanum (section Lycopersicon: Solanaceae) accessions were initially evaluated for their reaction against a GRSV isolate by analysis of symptom expression and systemic virus accumulation using DAS-ELISA. A subgroup comprising the most resistant accessions was re-evaluated in a second assay with TSWV, TCSV, and GRSV isolates and in a third assay with a CSNV isolate. Seven S. peruvianum accessions displayed a broad-spectrum resistance to all viral species with all plants being free of symptoms and systemic infection. Sources of resistance were also found in tomato cultivars with the Sw-5 gene and also in accessions of S. pimpinellifolium, S. chilense, S. arcanum, S. habrochaites, S. corneliomuelleri, and S. lycopersicum. The introgression/incorporation of these genetic factors into cultivated tomato varieties might allow the development of genetic materials with broad-spectrum resistance, as well as with improved levels of phenotypic expression.