Scientists from DBT Autonomous Institution, National Institute of Plant Genomics Research (NIPGR) have reported an effective defense strategy deployed by a resistant tomato cultivar against ToLCNDV.
It employs Sw5a (R gene) that recognizes AC4 protein (viral effector) of ToLCNDV to restrict virus spread.
About
Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a bipartite begomovirus.
It is widespread, with a geographical range also including the Far East, Middle East, North Africa and Europe.
Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) infection causes severe losses in tomato yield worldwide.
Host range: The primary cultivated host of ToLCNDV is tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), but the virus is also known to infect 43 other plant species from a range of families, including Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Solanaceae, Malvaceae and Fabaceae.
Disease symptoms: Typical symptoms of ToLCNDV infection in its various hosts include leaf curling, vein thickening, puckering, purpling/darkening of leaf margins, leaf area reduction, internode shortening and severe stunting.