Incidence and possible sources of Tomato spotted wilt virus in tobacco

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is economically prominent disease for its impact on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) production worldwide. An increase of the incidence of symptoms typical of TSWV has been observed in tobacco production areas in Denizli province of Turkey where tobacco is significantly grown. Surveys were conducted to determine the prevalence status of TSWV in tobacco cultivars and its possible sources of infections in four tobacco growing districts of Denizli province. A total of 501 plant samples from field-grown tobaccos, weeds, potential intermediate hosts, seedlings and seeds were collected during 2019 and tested by DAS-ELISA. Of these plants, 243 belong to 55 different weed species from 26 different families with intermediate host potential. Throughout the study, 40 crop plant samples which could be intermediate hosts and 39 tobacco seed samples were also taken for testing. Adult thrips specimens were picked up from the fields and brought to the laboratory for preparations. Four vector virus species were detected when adult thrips individuals were diagnosed: Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Aeolothrips intermedius Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) and Thrips major Uzel (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Of the 179 tobaccos sampled, 31.2% was positive; besides, of 243 weeds tested 10 were found to be infected. Echinochloa crus-,alli and Tordylium apulum were determined to be new host recordings for TSWV infection. Only one tomato plant from the crop plants as intermediate also confirmed in tobacco fields.