Genetic Diversity and Pathogenicity Characterization of Tomato-Infecting Begomoviruses in Taiwan

Abstract

The tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) caused by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)-transmitted begomoviruses (Geminiviridae) has constrained tomato production in Taiwan since 1981. Lisianthus enation leaf curl virus (LELCV), tomato leaf curl Taiwan virus (ToLCTV), and tomato yellow leaf curl Thailand virus (TYLCTHV) were the major viruses associated with TYLCD. In 2019 to 2020, we investigated TYLCD throughout Taiwan, with a 10 to 100% incidence on tomato fields. Begomovirus sequences were detected in 321 out of 506 collected samples by PCR with primers PAL1v1978B and PAR1c715H. In 2015 to 2016, 59 out of 99 samples collected in Hualien-Taitung areas were also found to have begomovirus sequences. Based on the analysis of 68 viral genomic sequences, six begomoviruses were identified, including LELCV, ToLCTV, TYLCTHV, tomato leaf curl Hsinchu virus, and two new begomoviruses, tentatively named tomato leaf curl Chiayi virus (ToLCCYV) and tomato leaf curl Nantou virus (ToLCNTV). Various isolates of LELCV and TYLCTHV were grouped into four and two strains, respectively. Recombinants were detected in LELCV-A, -C, and -D, ToLCCYV, ToLCNTV, and TYLCTHV-F. Based on virus-specific detection, the majority of TYLCD-associated viruses were mixed-infected by TYLCTHV-B with TYLCTHV-F, LELCV-A, -B, or -D, and/or ToLCTV. Meanwhile, viral DNA-B was mostly associated with TYLCTHV, and all identified DNA-Bs were highly homologous with previous TYLCTHV DNA-B. The pathogenicity of selected begomoviruses was confirmed through agroinfection and whitefly transmission. All tomato plants carrying Ty-1/3 and Ty-2 resistant genes were infected by all LELCV strains and ToLCCYV, although they appeared symptomless, suggesting these viruses could be managed through the use of the resistance pyramid.