Incidence of Groundnut bud necrosis virus (Bunyaviridae: Tospovirus) and associated vector (Frankliniella schultzei Trybom) in major tomato growing regions of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

Abstract

A field survey was conducted during 2016-17 to know the extent of incidence of Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) and prevalence of thrips species in tomato at different locations of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states. The vector population and GBNV disease were observed from 20 randomly selected plants at the time of flowering. The plant (shoot) was gently tapped against black cloth which was wrapped with thermo coal sheet and a 10x hand lens was used for counting. The mean population of thrips ranged from 0.35 to 1.39 no. / shoot and mean GBNV incidence was ranged from 20 to 48% in different regions. Thrips sample collected from 30 locations showed that only Frankliniella schultzei Trybom was associated in all the places invariably. The identified thrips species was confirmed by taxanomical keys, DNA analysis and SEM analysis. This kind of association may help in deep understanding of vector-virus-host interactions.