| Abstract: | Virus transmission studies were conducted under glasshouse conditions using the vector Bemisia tabaci biotype B to determine how effectively isolates of the begomoviruses Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato leaf curl Bangalore virus (ToLCBV) could be transmitted to phaseolus bean, capsicum and tomato test plants, the latter host used as a positive control for transmission. Diagnostic detection of viruses in these host crops and vector was also evaluated. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of TYLCV in bean cv. Wade and capsicum cv. Bellboy was achieved 4 weeks after fumigation in asymptomatic plants. Detection of TYLCV in tomato controls was achieved 2 weeks after fumigation with improved frequency of detection at 4 weeks. PCR was found to be a more sensitive method than triple‐antibody sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (TAS‐ELISA) for the detection of TYLCV isolates in all hosts. ToLCBV was detected by PCR and TAS‐ELISA in bean. TYLCV was also detected by PCR in the vector, with a novel internal positive control. This work was carried out to facilitate the development of a diagnostic protocol for the begomoviruses causing tomato yellow leaf curl under the EU SMT programme project –‘Diagnostic protocols for organisms harmful to plants’ (DIAGPRO). |
