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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Plant Pathology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #242204
Title: IPM CRSP project on tospoviruses and thrips vectors in South and Southeast Asia

Author
item Adkins, Scott
item KARTHIKEYAN, GANDHI - Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
item DAMAYANTHI, TRI - Bogor Agricultural University
item KODETHAM, GOPINATH - University Of Hyderabad
item RILEY, DAVID - University Of Georgia
item NAIDU, RAYAPATI - Washington State University

Submitted to: Thysanoptera International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2009
Publication Date: 8/31/2009
Citation: Adkins, S.T., Karthikeyan, G., Damayanthi, T., Kodetham, G., Riley, D.J., Naidu, R.A. 2009. IPM CRSP project on tospoviruses and thrips vectors in South and Southeast Asia. Thysanoptera International Conference Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Diseases caused by tospoviruses have become a major threat to a broad range of agricultural and horticultural crops. To date, seventeen different tospoviruses have been characterized and twelve thrips species have been identified as vectors of these viruses. Management of diseases caused by tospoviruses has become a challenge for sustainable production of vegetables in smallholder farming systems of South and Southeast Asia due to the broad host range of thrips and tospoviruses, overlapping cropping practices, indiscriminate use of insecticides resulting in vector thrips developing insecticide resistance. The Integrated Pest Management-Collaborative Research and Support Program (IPM CRSP) funded by USAID has initiated multi-disciplinary, system-wide research and technology transfer programs for a comprehensive development strategy to mitigate the impact of tospovirus diseases in smallholder agriculture in the region. Current research has focused on India and Indonesia. Tospoviruses present in India include Peanut bud necrosis virus in vegetables and legumes, Capsicum chlorosis virus in tomatoes and chilli peppers, Watermelon bud necrosis virus in melons, and Iris yellow spot virus in onions. Tospoviruses identified in Indonesia include Tomato spotted wilt virus in tomatoes and chilli peppers, and Peanut bud necrosis virus in peanuts. Major thrips species identified in India from tomatoes, chile peppers and onions include Thrips palmi, T. tabaci, Frankliniella schultzei, Scirtothrips dorsalis and T. hawaiiensis. The first four thrips species are known vectors of tospoviruses. Although T. palmi is native to Indonesia, the status of other vector thrips species in the country is not yet clear. Diagnostic methods for the accurate detection of these viruses in vegetable crops have been developed. The project has also contributed to institutional capacity building within developing countries for conducting research on tospovirus diseases through graduate education and short- and medium-term training programs.