Tomato Plants as Resistant Sources: Species and Intra-specific Taxa of Lycopersicon as Sources of Resistance to Viruses

Abstract

Susceptibility of 33 Lycopersicon species and intra-specific taxa to 6 viruses such as U/246 strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), Potato virus X (PVX), NTN strain of Potato virus Y (PVYNTN), Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) were studied. Inoculated plants were tested for susceptibility on the basis of symptoms, serological reactions (DAS-ELISA) and back inoculation. All tested plants were susceptible to PepMV, PVX, TMV and ToMV. However, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. convar. parvibaccatum Lehm. var. cerasiforme (Dun.) Alef.s.l., L. peruvianum (L.) Mill. and L. hirsutum Humb. et Bonpl. were extreme resistant (immune) to PVYNTN. L. esculentum Mill. convar. infiniens Lehm. var. flammatum Lehm., L. esculentum Mill. convar. fruticosum Lehm. var. speciosum Lehm. and L. esculentum Mill. convar. infiniens Lehm. var. validum Bail. showed extreme resistance to CMV-U/246. The other 30 species and intra-specific taxa were susceptible to CMV-U/246. New compatible and incompatible host-virus relations have been reported. The extreme resistant Lycopersicon intra-specific taxa could be used as resistance sources in tomato breeding.