Tomato apical stunt pospiviroid
A new disease of tomato

Why: Tomato apical stunt pospiviroid (TASVd) came to our attention because it is reported as a new and serious disease of tomatoes in Israel.

Where: TASVd was first described in Côte d'Ivoire and another strain was reported from Indonesia. The viroid was then reported in other parts of the world. However, data is lacking on the extent, severity and economic impact of the diseases it may cause.
EPPO region: Israel (found on tomatoes grown under plastic houses in the coastal region), Tunisia.
Africa: Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Tunisia.
Asia: Indonesia.

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On which plants: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Data is lacking on its host range.

Damage: Affected tomato plants in Israel showed shortened internodes (bushy appearance), leaf deformation and yellowing, reduced fruit size, pale red discoloration of fruit. Up to 100% disease incidence could be observed with heavy yield losses.

Transmission: TASVd can be transmitted from infected to healthy tomato plants by grafting or mechanical inoculation (in experimental conditions). The viroid is not transmitted by Myzus persicae or Bemisia tabaci, but by bumble bees. Seed-transmission has recently been demonstrated for TASVd. It is suggested that seeds play a major role in the viroid transmission within tomato crops, followed by mechanical contact (which is enhanced by workers and pollination activities of bumble bees).

Pathway: Plants for planting of tomatoes, fruits? from countries where TASVd occurs.

Possible risks: Tomato is an important crop in the EPPO region, both indoors and outdoors. Data is lacking on geographical distribution, host range, epidemiology of TASVd. As control of viroids is difficult in practice, it would be desirable to avoid any further spread of a potentially serious disease of tomatoes.

Source(s)
Antignus, Y.; Lachman, O.; Pearlsmand, M.; Gofman, R.; Bar-Joseph, M. (2002) A new disease of greenhouse tomatoes in Israel caused by a distinct strain to Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd). Phytoparasitica, 30(5), 502-510.
Antignus Y, Pearlsman M, Lachman O, Feigelson F (2006) Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd), a pathogen of greenhouse tomatoes in Israel is seedborne and transmitted by bumble bees. Phytoparasitica 34(3), 306-307.
Candresse T, Marais A, Ollivier F, Verdin E, Blancard D (2007) First report of the presence of Tomato apical stunt viroid on tomato in Senegal. Plant Disease 91(3), p 330.
Verhoeven JTJ, Jansen CCC, Roenhorst JW (2006) First report of Tomato apical stunt viroid in tomato in Tunisia. Plant Disease 90(4), p 528.

EPPO RS 2003/109, 2007/058, 2007/115, 2008/077

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