Tomato spotted wilt virus in ornamental plants, vegetables and weeds in the Czech Republic.

Abstract

The occurrence of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in horticulture crops and weeds in the Czech Republic has been studied in 1992-1997. During this period TSWV was established in 91 plant species. Virus identity was based on the host range, serology and electron microscopy. Natural TSWV infection was detected in glasshouses where the main vector Frankliniella occidentalis was present too. The most frequently TSWV-infected plant species were Chrysanthemum morifolium and Zantedeschia sp. Among vegetable crops, the TSWV infection was very frequently detected in tomatoes and peppers. In all cases these plants were nursed or grown in glasshouses together with different species of ornamental plants, many of which were TSWV-infected. Among weeds, the TSWV infection occurred very often in Stellaria media and Galinsoga parviflora. These two plant species were prevalent in glasshouses and were also good hosts of F. occidentalis.