Determination of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) using serologic and biological methods in tomatoes grown in Çanakkale region

This study was carried out to determine presence of TSWV in tomatoes gown inopen fields during growing seasons of 2003 and 2004 in Çanakkale Province.Therefore, a survey study was conducted in tomato fields of Çanakkale Province in2003 and 2004, and samples taken from the plants showing TSWV-like symptoms weretested using ELISA and/or DTBIA methods. According to the results of tests, TSWVinfected or thought to be infected samples were used for mechanical inoculation totransmit the virus into indicator plants.In 2003, total 61 different fields were examined and 127 samples were takenfrom 24 fields in where the plants showed the similar symptoms with TSWV.According to the results of serological tests, there was not any infected plant sample. In2004, sampling was carried out in 29 fields; the 73 samples were taken from 9 fields inwhere TSWV-like symptoms were observed. Serological tests showed that 9 of 73samples were found to be TSWV-infected. In addition, these TSWV-infected sampleswere also used for transmission of the virus into the indicator plants and it causedsystemic symptoms on these plantsKeywords: Tomatoes, survey, serology, mechanical inoculation, TSWV