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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 #336349
Title: Western flower thrips can transmit Tomato spotted wilt virus from virus-infected tomato fruits

Author
item SZOSTEK, S - WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
item RODRIGUEZ, P - HERITAGE UNIVERSITY
item SANCHEZ, J - HERITAGE UNIVERSITY
item Adkins, Scott
item NAIDU, R - WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2016
Publication Date: 3/20/2017
Citation: Szostek, S.A., Rodriguez, P., Sanchez, J., Adkins, S.T., Naidu, R.A. 2017. Western flower thrips can transmit Tomato spotted wilt virus from virus-infected tomato fruits. Plant Health Progress. 18(1)1-6. doi:10.1094/PHP-RS-16-0057.

Interpretive Summary: We demonstrated that thrips were able to acquire and transmit Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) from symptomatic tomato fruits. The role of tomato fruits had not previously been examined in the spread of TSWV. These results have implications for movement of TSWV via infected tomato fruits.

Technical Abstract: Acquisition and transmission of Tomato spotted wilt virus from symptomatic tomato fruits by western flower thrips was demonstrated for the first time. This suggests that infected tomato fruits may be a source of virus and also provide an additional means of virus movement between geographic areas.