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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291811
Title: Characterization and detection of emerging viroids in North American greenhouse tomatoes

Author
item Ling, Kai-Shu
item Li, Rugang
item SOMBAT, SUKHONTIP - Department Of Agriculture - Thailand

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2013
Publication Date: 8/23/2013
Citation: Ling, K., Li, R., Sombat, S. 2013. Characterization and detection of emerging viroids in North American greenhouse tomatoes. International workshop on viroids and satellite RNAs (IWVds). p. 5.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Tomato is an economically important vegetable in many countries around the world, with major productions in China, the U.S., Spain, Italy, India, Turkey, and Egypt. Although, most of the tomato production is field grown, there is a growing trend in protective production (greenhouse). Nearly 40% of fresh tomatoes in the U.S. supermarkets are produced in greenhouses. In recent years, at least three distinct viroids, including Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd), Mexican papita viroid (MPVd) and Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), have been identified on greenhouse tomatoes in Canada, Mexico, and United States. The intensive production practices and the protective growing environment appeared to facilitate the outbreaks of viroid diseases. Mixed infection of viroids with other common greenhouse tomato viruses (i.e., Pepino mosaic virus) posed additional challenges to achieve an accurate identification for the actual causal agent, thus complicated the situation in disease management. To achieve a better understanding for these emerging viroid diseases, it was necessary to characterize the molecular and biological properties of the viroids and to develop sensitive detection methods. Here, we present analysis of natural population genetics of tomato viroids in North America, generation of infectious cDNA clones for MPVd, and development of genus and species-specific detection methods, including real-time PT-PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification. With an increasing concern in a possible seed-transmission, we characterized the seed-transmissibility of PSTVd in tomato and developed a standard seed health test. Finally, we will discuss the possibility of using disinfectants to manage the spread of viroid diseases in tomato.