Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) is the most important begomovirus species in Brazilian tomato production. Many weeds are associated with tomato, and some are hosts of begomoviruses. Only one species of weed, Nicandra physaloides, has been found to be infected with ToSRV. In this study, four weed species were investigated for their capacity to be infected by ToSRV and serve as a potential source of inoculum for tomato. Begomoviruses from naturally infected Crotalaria spp., Euphorbia heterophylla, N. physaloides, and Sida spp. were successfully transferred to tomato plants by biolistic inoculation. ToSRV was the major virus transferred to tomato. In contrast, other begomoviruses were transferred to weeds, such as Sida micrantha mosaic virus and Euphorbia yellow mosaic virus. Furthermore, a new strain of Sida micrantha mosaic virus is reported. We also confirmed that Crotalaria spp., E. heterophylla, and Sida spp. are infected with ToSRV but at low viral titers and in mixed infections with weed-infecting begomoviruses. Thus, it was demonstrated that weeds are potential sources of ToSRV for tomato in central Brazil.

Nicandra physaloides, a common weed in South America, was found to be infected by an isolate of Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV), a bipartite begomovirus. The plants developed severe yellow rugose mosaic and were collected in São Paulo State, Brazil. This isolate of ToSRV was transmitted by Bemisia tabaci B biotype from infected plants of N. physaloides to healthy plants of N. physaloides and tomato in a glasshouse. This is the first report of natural infection of N. physaloides by ToSRV in Brazil.

Avaliou-se o progresso da cercosporiose em cafeeiros sob sistemas de produção orgânico e convencional no município de Santo Antônio do Amparo, MG, entre novembro/2003 e novembro/2005. As lavouras, que são vizinhas, encontravam-se sob condições similares de clima, solo e relevo e eram formadas por cafeeiros cv. Acaiá MG-474-19, de dez anos. A doença foi mais intensa no sistema de produção convencional, cuja média de dois anos consecutivos de avaliações demonstrou área abaixo da curva de progresso da cercosporiose maior (3,905) do que o orgânico (2,529). Isso ficou demonstrado também pela incidência máxima nas folhas, equivalente a 28% em 2004 e 29% em 2005, enquanto no sistema orgânico foi de 9% e 12%, respectivamente. Nos frutos, a incidência foi de 18,2% em 2004 e 22% em 2005, enquanto no orgânico foi de 11,5% e 15%, respectivamente. A maior suscetibilidade dos cafeeiros à cercosporiose no sistema convencional coincidiu com menores teores de cálcio e magnésio foliares nas fases de granação e maturação dos frutos comparados ao orgânico, conseqüência da maior carga pendente que resultou em uma produtividade superior em 26,8 sc/ha ao orgânico em 2004 (alta carga pendente). Em 2005 a produtividade foi estatisticamente semelhante em ambos os sistemas. Houve menor alternância entre a produtividade das duas safras consecutivas no sistema orgânico (34% menor em 2005) quando comparada à convencional (64% menor) sugerindo uma tendência de menor efeito da doença sobre a safra seguinte dos cafeeiros no sistema orgânico de produção, comparado ao convencional.

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), a species in the Crinivirus genus, was first reported in tomatoes in Brazil (state of São Paulo) in 2008. This was followed by reports in several other Brazilian states. Tomato plants with chlorotic spots and leaf roll symptoms are frequently observed in tomato fields with high whitefly populations in Central Brazil. These plants could be infected with a begomovirus, a crinivirus, or with both viruses. A survey of two selected tomato fields in the Federal District and Goiás State was conducted in 2012 and 2013 specifically to determine the occurrence of begomoviruses and criniviruses. A total of 150 samples were collected and subjected to RT-PCR for ToCV detection and PCR for begomovirus detection. About 48% of the tested plants were infected with both viruses, 32% were infected with ToCV alone and 20% were only infected with the begomovirus ToSRV. The increasing incidence of ToCV associated with high whitefly populations in the field highlights the need for studying this virus disease to clarify its impact on tomato crops and minimize its potential damage.

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