Identification of reservoir hosts of tomato yellow leaf curl virus in southeastern Iran

Tomato yellow leaf curl disease, caused by tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV; Begomovirus coheni), is among the most devastating viral diseases affecting tomato crops as well as numerous cultivated and wild plant species throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Wild plant hosts play a critical role in the epidemiology and persistence of TYLCV infections in cultivated crops. In the present study, wild hosts of TYLCV in Jiroft, southeastern Iran, were identified, and partial molecular characterization of the recovered viral isolates was conducted. Detection was performed using PCR assays with degenerate primers, followed by amplification of the majority of the viral coat protein gene with specific primers, as well as Sanger sequencing of the PCR products. Based on the results obtained, three symptomatic plant species, namely cornflower (Centaurea sp.), castor bean (Ricinus communis), and common mallow (Malva sp.), were identified to be infected with TYLCV. This study represents the first documented evidence of TYLCV infection in cornflower, common mallow, and castor bean in Iran. To enhance the effectiveness of TYLCV disease management strategies, the elimination of annual and perennial weed species present within and around agricultural fields is recommended.

کلیدواژه ها:

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus ، Begomovirus coheni ، Wild hosts ، Reservoir hosts