Ecology, epidemiology

- Conservation, sources of viruses

Like many viruses, the tomato chlorosis virus (Tomato chlorosis virus, TOCV) is likely to persist in a number of plant species. In fact, its range of natural hosts would rather be restricted to about thirty hosts. It is still known to infect potatoes and chili. plants (Zinnia elegans Some authors report that ornamental) and other vegetable crops would be susceptible. It is also found on weeds (Datura stramonium, Solanum nigrum, S. nigrescens, Physalis peruviana, P. ixocarpa ). It is likely that plants retain it and serve as reservoirs for viruses


- Transmission, dissemination

This virus is transmitted by whiteflies, in the semi-persistent mode. Its virus acquisition time by the insect is 48 hours, sometimes less, and the virus remains viruliferous for approximately 3 days. Once "injected", the virus remains limited to the phloem vessels, in which it multiplies. Several whitefly species are likely to carry out its transmission: Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, the most efficient vector) biotypes A, B (= Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring) and Q, and Trialeurodes abutilonea (Haldeman) . It does not appear that the transmission of virus to the progeny of the insect is possible. Remember that this virus is not transmitted experimentally by mechanical inoculation. On the other hand, it is certainly disseminated by plants in production regions where viruliferous whiteflies abound in nurseries.