Persistence of Tomato Mosaic Virus in Tomato Debris and Soil Under Field Conditions

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Abstract
The fruit necrosis strain of tomato mosaic virus (ToMV-FN) was recovered from tomato debris and soil in an experimental field where tomato infected with ToMV-FN had been grown the previous year. Healthy tomato transplanted to that field the following year became infected and developed typical fruit necrosis symptoms. ToMV was also recovered from debris and soil collected from fields in southeast Arkansas [USA] where fruit necrosis had occurred in ''Pinkwrap'' tomato from 1978 seed; the disease recurred the following year. Cultural practices affected the amount of debris present and disease recurrence, and in general, less tillage resulted in higher disease incidence. The effects of tillage and of a winter wheat cover crop were tested in a field where tomato uniformly infected with ToMV-FN had been grown. ToMV-FN was recovered from some plants in plots that received 1 tilling before healthy tomato seedlings were transplanted into them. One plant was infected in a plot that had a wheat cover crop. Environmental conditions were severe and atypical that season, and no fruit necrosis symptoms were observed. Seed transmission of ToMV-FN was demonstrated. ToMV-FN was serologically related to but different from tobacco mosaic cirus and a commonly occurring ''Purple'' strain of ToMV (ToMV-P). Serologic tests indicate that mixed infections of ToMV-P and ToMV-FN occurred in plants from southeast Arkansas fields. This was also demonstrated in tomato mechanically inoculated with a mixture of the 2 strains.

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