Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus Contributes to Enhanced Pepino Mosaic Virus Titers in Tomato Plants

Abstract

The tobamovirus tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), a major threat to tomato production worldwide, has recently been documented in mixed infections with the potexvirus pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) CH2 strain in traded tomatoes in Israel. A study of greenhouse tomato plants in Israel revealed severe new viral disease symptoms including open unripe fruits and yellow patched leaves. PepMV was only detected in mixed infections with ToBRFV in all 104 tested sites, using serological and molecular analyses. Six PepMV isolates were identified, all had predicted amino acids characteristic of CH2 mild strains excluding an isoleucine at amino acid position 995 of the replicase. High-throughput sequencing of viral RNA extracted from four selected symptomatic plants showed solely the ToBRFV and PepMV, with total aligned read ratios of 40.61% and 11.73%, respectively, indicating prevalence of the viruses. Analyses of interactions between the co-infecting viruses by sequential and mixed viral inoculations of tomato plants, at various temperatures, showed a prominent increase in PepMV titers in ToBRFV pre-inoculated plants and in mixed-infected plants at 18–25 °C, compared to PepMV-single inoculations, as analyzed by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR tests. These results suggest that Israeli mild PepMV isolate infections, preceded by ToBRFV, could induce symptoms characteristic of PepMV aggressive strains.

Viruses Infecting Trees and Herbs That Produce Edible Fleshy Fruits with a Prominent Value in the Global Market: An Evolutionary Perspective

“…On the other hand, the estimated economic impact ranges from USD 46 and 75 billion per year [196]. Other important viruses infecting tomatoes are TMV and Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV; Potexvirus, Alphaflexiviridae), which cause losses of 19-33% and 20-40%, respectively [197][198][199][200]. Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is another begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) causing losses in the range of 18-99%, mainly in India and other countries around the world [201][202][203][204].…”

Global Advances in Tomato Virome Research: Current Status and the Impact of High-Throughput Sequencing

“…Currently, the only possible control measures are the ones directed at eradication and containment of the infections, such as restriction of access to the production site, disposal of infested plant material, and sanitation measures (EPPO, 2020a). Moreover, a recent research reported that co-infection of ToBRFV with mild strain PepMV resulted in enhanced PepMV accumulation and symptoms characteristic for an aggressive PepMV strain (Klap et al, 2020), bringing additional concerns about the impact of ToBRFV on tomato production.…”

Narcissus Plants: A Melting Pot of Potyviruses

“…Studies of the co-infection of plant viruses in wild and domesticated plants are important for understanding plant virus epidemiology, evolution, and virus–virus interactions; consequently, these investigations will contribute to developing efficient and durable control strategies [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Co-infections by two or more plant viruses [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ], different isolates of the same viruses [ 12 , 13 ], and the presence of quasispecies of the same viruses [ 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] in wild and domesticated plants seem likely to be common in nature [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Plants of the genus Narcissus in the family Amaryllidaceae are known as wild or domesticated plants, although it is difficult to draw a boundary distinguishing between these plants in Japan.…”