An efficient in vitro-inoculation method for Tomato yellow leaf curl virus

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Molecular Virology
• Horticultural Science

Background:

• Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a Begomovirus, poses a significant threat to tomato production worldwide.
• Developing efficient methods to study TYLCV infectivity and host responses is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an improved in vitro inoculation protocol for assessing TYLCV infectivity in tomato plants.
• To utilize this method for investigating TYLCV resistance mechanisms in wild tomato relatives.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a 1.8-mer infectious clone of a TYLCV isolate.
• Inoculation of in vitro-cultured, three-week-old tomato microshoots using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated delivery of the infectious clone.
• Observation and documentation of TYLCV symptom development over eight weeks post-inoculation.

Main Results:

• TYLCV symptoms were observed in susceptible tomato plants two weeks post-inoculation, becoming more pronounced by eight weeks.
• The in vitro method successfully identified resistance mechanisms in Solanum habrochaites accession LA 1777.
• The protocol demonstrated efficiency in uncovering genetic resistance to TYLCV.

Conclusions:

• The developed in vitro inoculation method provides a reliable system for screening tomato genotypes against TYLCV under controlled conditions.
• This technique serves as a valuable tool for advancing the understanding of TYLCV-tomato interactions and host resistance.
• Facilitates genetic studies and breeding programs for TYLCV-resistant tomato varieties.