A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
Date: Tue 12 May 2020
Source: The Hindu [edited]
<https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/unidentified-virus-attacks-tomato-crop-in-maharashtra/article31563781.ece#>
An unidentified virus is attacking tomato crops in large parts of Maharashtra. In the districts of Ahmednagar, Pune, and Nashik, about 60% of the crop has been decimated in the last 10 days. Plant experts have expressed multiple opinions about the outbreak.
The Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth [MPKV] agriculture university are studying the outbreak along with state government officials. A MPKV scientist said an analysis of the tomato samples is underway, but conclusions have not been reached. Due to the lockdown, samples have not reached national laboratories for further analysis.
Farmers are now pointing fingers at seed companies for allegedly selling diseased seeds. The damage to the crop has been extensive.
Leaves are drying up, and the ripened tomatoes are developing irregular shapes and losing their sap. The crop ready for harvesting has been lost to the viral outbreak. Farmers fear if this viral attack is not controlled, it could spread to other crops. They also want advice on precautionary steps before replanting so that crops are not affected all over again.
[Byline: Rahul Wadke]
--
Communicated by: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[A number of tomato diseases and pathogens have been reported from the region, many of which can also affect potatoes and other solanaceous crops. Although a virus is claimed as causing the problem, it is not clear what reasoning this is based on since no evidence is being supplied. Symptoms similar to what is described above may be due to a number of pathogens of tomatoes.
A time frame of a crop being destroyed within 10 days, as stated, appears extremely short for most virus diseases, but can be observed more frequently for fungal or bacterial diseases. For example, late blight of tomato and potato (caused by the fungus-like organism _Phytophthora infestans_) is rife in the region, with a severe strain spreading there (ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20180418.5755980). It is not clear whether this disease has been excluded as a possibility.
The problems above may also be due to a combination of pathogens and/or other factors. Any speculative "experts' opinions," as mentioned above, will not provide a solution, but factual information is required instead. Disease management will need to be based on reliable molecular diagnosis of any pathogen(s) involved.
Maps
India (with states):
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/india-political-map.htm>
Maharashtra districts:
<http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/maharashtra/maharashtra-district.htm>
Pictures
Symptoms of some tomato diseases via:
<http://www.ipmimages.org/browse/AreaSubs.cfm?area=63>
Links
Additional news stories:
<https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9216339/indian-growers-fear-tobrfv-outbreak/>
and
<https://zeenews.india.com/maharashtra/coronavirus-hit-maharashtras-farmers-fear-tiranga-virus-damaging-tomato-crop-2282931.html>
List of major diseases and pathogens of tomato:
<https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/resources/commonnames/Pages/Tomato.aspx>
Fact sheets of some major tomato diseases via:
<http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Tomato_List.htm>
- Mod.DHA]
[See Also:
2018
----
Late blight, potato - India: strain Blue 13
2017
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Undiagnosed virus, tomato - India: (OR)
http://promedmail.org/post/20171103.5421613
2016
----
Tomato leaf curl virus, eggplant - India: (TN)
http://promedmail.org/post/20160415.4160915
2015
----
Buckeye & bacterial blight, tomato, capsicum - India: (HP)
http://promedmail.org/post/20150721.3525025
Undiagnosed disease, potato & tomato - Nepal: (BN)
http://promedmail.org/post/20150115.3095471
2013
----
Yellow leaf curl & blights, tomato - Pakistan: (SD)
http://promedmail.org/post/20130206.1531086
2012
----
Undiagnosed disease, tomato - India: (UT)
http://promedmail.org/post/20121213.1450713
2011
----
Undiagnosed virus, chili - India: (GA)
http://promedmail.org/post/20110408.1099
2010
----
Bacterial wilt, tomato - Uganda, Nepal
http://promedmail.org/post/20101209.4386
Late blight, seed potato, tomato - India: (HP)
http://promedmail.org/post/20101015.3738
Buckeye & bacterial blight, tomato - India: (HP)
http://promedmail.org/post/20101001.3560
Late blight, tomato - India: (UT)
http://promedmail.org/post/20100121.0236
2009
----
Multiple pathogens, tomato, capsicum, strawberry - India
http://promedmail.org/post/20090622.2284
and additional items on tomato diseases in the archives]
Topics
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