Tomato chlorosis virus reduces fruit mass of tomato cultivar Reiyo

Abstract

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is an emerging virus that causes a yellowing disease of tomato worldwide. Lower leaves of infected plants develop interveinal chlorosis, which gradually advances toward the upper leaves. ToCV is mainly transmitted by the whiteflies Bemisia tabaci or Trialeurodes vaporariorum in a semipersistent manner. Because little is known about the effects of ToCV on fresh tomato fruit production in Japan, we investigated the impacts of ToCV on commercial cv. Reiyo. Typical symptoms were first observed on leaves about 2 months after ToCV inoculation of plants using B. tabaci, and mean fruit mass was reduced by 24.6% to 31.7% compared with healthy plants.