Dr. Tim Momol
Extension Plant Pathologist
(850) 875-7154
tmomol@ufl.edu
University of Florida NFREC
155 Research Road
Quincy, FL 32351, USA

During October 1998, symptoms characteristic of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) were observed on fresh market tomato production fields in Gadsden County, Florida and in Decatur County, Georgia. A group of scientists (M. T. Momol, G.W. Simone, H. Dankers, R. K. Sprenkel, S.M. Olson, E.A. Momol, J.E. Polston and E. Hiebert), identified the causal agent as TYLCV.

Observed symptoms included: plant stunting, a reduction in leaf size, yellow leaf margins and mottling (see photograph below). Some plants showed symptoms at the upper portions only. Specific identification of TYLCV was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

click on image to display a larger photograph

Electrophoresis of PCR products identified TYLCV in the symptomatic tomato samples from South Georgia and North Florida. Further characterization of the TYLCV was performed with restriction enzyme digestion analysis of the PCR products. TYLCV is transmitted in a persistent manner by silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Biotype B Genn.) ( = Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring) (http://whiteflies.ifas.ufl.edu/wfly0086.htm).

Whiteflies were collected from the same fields both in Georgia and Florida and identified as Bemisia tabaci, but the biotype was not established. Our results indicate that TYLCV was found on tomato for the first time in north Florida and south Georgia.

Reference sites from internet:

J.E. Polston. 1998. Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus - USA (Florida)
http://www.agnic.org/pmp/1998/tyl0515.html

G.W. Simone et al. 1998. TYLCV Management for Homeowners.Fact sheet PP-46.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/scripts/htmlgen.exe?DOCUMENT_VH078

P. Anderson. 1998.Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl begomovirus: spreading.
http://www.agnic.org/pmp/1998/tyl0528.html

The USDA Whitefly Knowledgebase.
http://whiteflies.ifas.ufl.edu/