Preliminary investigation of the causal agent(s) of a disease causing leaf curl of tobacco in South Africa

A high incidence (86%) of potyvirus infection was noted in tobacco plants exhibiting a form of leaf curl in South Africa. Despite leaf curl being reported in the literature to be of geminiviral aetiology, no geminiviruses were detected. Furthermore, no other virus particles were detected by virus purification, TEM and serology. Twelve species of dsRNA were consistently isolated from these tobacco plants, but were absent from other forms of leaf curl-affected and healthy tobacco. Aphid and mechanical inoculation demonstrated that the purified potyvirus(es) did not cause leaf curl symptoms, but rather mild mottle and mosaic symptoms in tobacco. Partial characterization of the potyvirus preparation showed a possible relationship to a South African strain of potato virus Y. Because potyvirus-inoculated plants did not manifest leaf curl symptoms, and because leaf curl symptoms were noted in some plants not infected with a potyvirus, it was concluded that the potyvirus is not involved in the leaf curl aetiology, but causes a latent infection, the symptoms of which are masked. The pattern of the dsRNA banding, induction of enations and lack of mechanical and seed transmission are common to plant reoviruses. The possibility of a phytoreovirus involvement in this form of leaf curl is currently being investigated. The results from this study suggest that tobacco leaf curl disease worldwide, with regard to geminiviruses, be re-evaluated.