Occurrence of Tospoviruses in Ornamental and Weed Species in Markazi and Tehran Provinces in Iran.

Damage to agricultural crops by tospoviruses has occurred sporadically in Iran in the past; however, since 2000, outbreaks of tospoviruses have been recorded every year. The most affected ornamental crops were surveyed in two main cultivation areas in provinces of Markazi (Mahallat) and Tehran in 2000-01 and 2001-02. A few weed species also were collected. In all, 513 samples (with or without any conspicuous virus symptoms) were collected and analyzed by double- and triple-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with polyclonal antibodies to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), and Tomato Varamin virus (ToVV), a new Tospovirus sp. from Iran. These viruses frequently were detected in samples of many different ornamentals and often in mixed infections, whereas Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) was detected in only four samples. ToVV also was found in weeds growing in Chrysanthemum fields and in a Cuscuta sp. Applying double-antibody sandwich ELISA, no positive reactions were found with Tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV). Of the total of 513 samples tested, 345 samples did not react with any Tospovirus antisera. In Tehran, INSV was identified in 21 samples (10%), IYSV in 4 samples (2%), TSWV in 16 samples (8%), and ToVV in 22 samples (11%). In Markazi province, INSV was identified in 24 samples (8%), IYSV in 1 sample (0.5%), TSWV in 40 samples (13%), and ToVV in 36 samples (12%). ToVV was found to prevail in Tehran province and TSWV in Markazi. Thrips spp. present at the plant sampling sites also were collected and identified.