Synergistic Effects of Mosaic and Leaf Curl Viruses on Growth in Glass-House Tomato Plants

Abstract

Viral diseases are known to be one of the major limiting aspects in tomato production in different countries. Almost 75 viruses are known to infect this crop and adversely affecting the yield annually. Combined attack of more than one viruses become more dangerous and show very drastic effects on the crop. Keeping in view the acuteness of the viral diseases and their effects on tomato yield, the interaction between Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) and Tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV), was investigated under controlled conditions. Effects on plant developments and yield was evaluated under viral attack separately as well as in combination and the percent plant infection was recorded. The tested viruses significantly reduced the plant height and fruit yield of infected tomato plants. The greatest effect was obtained in the double infection with TLCV and ToMV with mean fruit yield of plants was 112.28 gm. While singly ToMV and TLCV were slightly reduced fruit yield as 156.08 gm and 141.685 gm respectively. The plant height was also greatly reduced in case of double infection i.e. with mean height of plants was 26.32 cm. While, on other hand it was slightly reduced when ToMV and TLCV were infested separately that was 38.18 cm and 33.22 cm respectively.