Temporal Effects of a Begomovirus Infection and Host Plant Resistance on the Preference and Development of an Insect Vector,Bemisia tabaci,and Implications for Epidemics

Persistent plant viruses, by altering phenotypic and physiological traits of their hosts, could modulate the host preference and fitness of hemipteran vectors. A majority of such modulations increase vector preference for virus-infected plants and improve vector fitness, ultimately favouring virus spread. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how these virus-induced modulations on vectors vary temporally, and whether host resistance to the pathogen influences such effects. This study addressed the two questions using a Begomovirus-whitefly-tomato model pathosystem. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) -susceptible and TYLCV-resistant tomato genotypes were evaluated by whitefly-mediated transmission assays. Quantitative PCR revealed that virus accumulation decreased after an initial spike in all genotypes. TYLCV accumulation was less in resistant than in susceptible genotypes at 3, 6, and 12 weeks post inoculation (WPI). TYLCV acquisition by whiteflies over time from resistant and susceptible genotypes was also consistent with virus accumulation in the host plant. Furthermore, preference assays indicated that non-viruliferous whiteflies preferred virus-infected plants, whereas viruliferous whiteflies preferred non-infected plants. However, this effect was prominent only with the susceptible genotype at 6 WPI. The development of whiteflies on non-infected susceptible and resistant genotypes was not significantly different. However, developmental time was reduced when a susceptible genotype was infected with TYLCV. Together, these results suggest that vector preference and development could be affected by the timing of infection and by host resistance. These effects could play a crucial role in TYLCV epidemics.     

Replication of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) DNA in agroinoculated leaf discs from selected tomato genotypes

The leaf disc agroinoculation system was applied to study tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) replication in explants from susceptible and resistant tomato genotypes. This system was also evaluated as a potential selection tool in breeding programmes for TYLCV resistance. Leaf discs were incubated with a head-to-tail dimer of the TYLCV genome cloned into the Ti plasmid ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens. In leaf discs from susceptible cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum) TYLCV single-stranded genomic DNA and its double-stranded DNA forms appeared within 2–5 days after inoculation. Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) efficiently transmitted the TYLCV disease to tomato test plants following acquisition feeding on agroinoculated tomato leaf discs. This indicates that infective viral particles have been produced and have reached the phloem cells of the explant where they can be acquired by the insects. Plants regenerated from agroinfected leaf discs of sensitive tomato cultivars exhibited disease symptoms and contained TYLCV DNA concentrations similar to those present in field-infected tomato plants, indicating that TYLCV can move out from the leaf disc into the regenerating plant. Leaf discs from accessions of the wild tomato species immune to whitefly-mediated inoculation,L. chilense LA1969 andL. hirsutum LA1777, did not support TYLCV DNA replication. Leaf discs from plants tolerant to TYLCV issued from breeding programmes behaved like leaf discs from susceptible cultivars.The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field and Vegetable Crops     

Expression of stress-response proteins upon whitefly-mediated inoculation of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in susceptible and resistant tomato plants

To better understand the nature of resistance of tomato to the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, B biotype)-transmitted Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), whiteflies and TYLCV were considered as particular cases of biotic stresses and virus resistance as a particular case of successful response to these stresses. Two inbred tomato lines issued from the same breeding program that used Solanum habrochaites as a TYLCV resistance source, one susceptible and the other resistant, were used to compare the expression of key proteins involved at different stages of the plant response with stresses: mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), cellular heat shock proteins (HSPs, proteases), and pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. The two biotic stresses-non-viruliferous whitefly feeding and virus infection with viruliferous insects--led to a slow decline in abundance of MAPKs, HSPs, and chloroplast protease FtsH (but not chloroplast protease ClpC), and induced the activities of the PR proteins, beta-1,3-glucanase, and peroxidase. This decline was less pronounced in virus-resistant than in virus-susceptible lines. Contrary to whitefly infestation and virus infection, inoculation with the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum induced a rapid accumulation of the stress proteins studied, followed by a decline; the virus-susceptible and -resistant tomato lines behaved similarly in response to the fungus.     

Analysis of resistance in tomato and sweet pepper against the greenhouse whitefly using electrically monitored and visually observed probing and feeding behaviour

Different types of plant resistance against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, were distinguished according to the tissue location of the resistance factors. The effects of resistance factors were compared by measuring the electrically monitored and visually observed probing and feeding behaviour of whiteflies on two resistant tomato genotypes (82207 and 82216), a susceptible tomato cultivar, and a non-host plant, sweet pepper. On sweet pepper, whiteflies displayed very short first probes, very long pathway probing and spent much time on non-feeding activities such as walking and standing still. Also, a high percentage of whiteflies rejected sweet pepper without ingesting substances from the phloem vessel. These data suggest a strong resistance that is based on the factors present in surface/epidermis and/or mesophyll layers of this plant. The behaviour of whiteflies on tomato 82207 was very different from that on sweet pepper. On tomato 82207 whiteflies apparently did not perceive resistance factors on the leaf surface and in the mesophyll. Resistance factors appeared to be present in the phloem tissue, because a higher number of phloem phases, longer phloem salivation periods and shorter phloem ingestion periods were observed when compared with the susceptible tomato cultivar. Tomato 82216 showed no clear resistance factor in the phloem. The importance of combined EPG and behavioural research for host-plant resistance studies are discussed.     

Tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus (TYLCV-Is) is transmitted among whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) in a sex-related manner

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is the name given to a complex of geminiviruses infecting tomato cultures worldwide. TYLCV is transmitted by a single insect species, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Herein we show that a TYLCV isolate from Israel (TYLCV-Is) can be transmitted among whiteflies in a sex-dependent manner, in the absence of any other source of virus. TYLCV was transmitted from viruliferous males to females and from viruliferous females to males but not among insects of the same sex. Transmission took place when insects were caged in groups or in couples, in a feeding chamber or on cotton plants, a TYLCV nonhost. The recipient insects were able to efficiently inoculate tomato test plants. Insect-to-insect virus transmission was instrumental in increasing the number of whiteflies capable of infecting tomato test plants in a whitefly population. TYLCV was present in the hemolymph of whiteflies caged with viruliferous insects of the other sex; therefore, the virus follows, at least in part, the circulative pathway associated with acquisition from infected plants. Taken as a whole, these results imply that a plant virus can be sexually transmitted from insect to insect.     

Genotyping selection for resistance against tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) conferred by Ty-1 and Ty-3 genes in tomato

The tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), transmitted by whitefly, causes major disease losses to tomato crops in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Several genes conferring resistance to TYLCV, mainly Ty-1 and Ty-3 genes, have been introgressed to cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from the wild relative species Solanum chilense. By combining bulked segregant analysis and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP), several AFLP markers closely linked to Ty-1 and Ty-3 genes were identified from the resistant breeding line TZ841-4. Cloning and sequencing of the selected AFLP fragments allowed us to develop codominant cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence and dominant sequence characterized amplified region markers closely linked to Ty-1. In addition, Ty-3-linked allelic-specific markers have been discriminated by a quantitative real-time PCR protocol. Taken together, these markers constitute useful tools for marker-assisted selection breeding programs to improve genetic resistance to TYLCV, and also to initiate map-based cloning approaches to isolate the resistance genes.     

Engineering resistance against tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) using antisense RNA

One of the most severe diseases of cultivated tomato worldwide is caused by tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a geminivirus transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Here we describe the application of antisense RNAs to interfere with the disease caused by TYLCV. The target of the antisense RNA is the rare messenger RNA of the Rep protein, encoded by the C1 gene. Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants expressing C1 antisense RNA were obtained and shown to resist infection by TYLCV. Some of the resistant lines are symptomless, and the replication of challenge TYLCV almost completely suppressed. The transgenes mediating resistance were shown to be effective through at least two generations of progeny.     

辽宁省冬季温室内越冬粉虱伪蛹的种类鉴定及烟粉虱体内番茄黄化曲叶病毒的检测

为了揭示辽宁省冬季温室内越冬粉虱伪蛹的种类及烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci （Gennadius）携带番茄黄化曲叶病毒（tomato yellow leaf curl virus, TYLCV）情况, 于2012年1月份在辽宁省不同县市区的温室作物上采集了17份粉虱伪蛹样品（每样品含30头粉虱伪蛹） , 镜检鉴别粉虱种类并利用mtCOI基因对烟粉虱生物型进行了鉴定; 检测了烟粉虱携带TYLCV情况并对其PCR扩增产物进行了测序分析。结 果表明： 辽宁省冬季温室内存在越冬温室白粉虱Trialeurodes vaporariorum （Westwood）与烟粉虱。17份粉虱样品中, 11份样品为烟 粉虱样品, 6份样品为温室白粉虱和烟粉虱混合样品。混合样品中, 温室白粉虱仅在锦州凌海（LH）样品中占优势。17份烟粉虱样品（包 括混合样品）中, 仅有4份样品为B型与Q型混合样品, 其他13份样品烟粉虱生物型均为Q型。17份烟粉虱样品中有3份Q型烟粉虱样品检测 到TYLCV, 系统树分析进一步证实该病毒是TYLCV。调查结果为辽宁省粉虱与TYLCV的早期测报和防控提供了科学依据。     

Rapid spread of tomato yellow leaf curl virus in China is aided differentially by two invasive whiteflies

Background

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was introduced into China in 2006, approximately 10 years after the introduction of an invasive whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) B biotype. Even so the distribution and prevalence of TYLCV remained limited, and the economic damage was minimal. Following the introduction of Q biotype into China in 2003, the prevalence and spread of TYLCV started to accelerate. This has lead to the hypothesis that the two biotypes might not be equally competent vectors of TYLCV.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The infection frequency of TYLCV in the field-collected B. tabaci populations was investigated, the acquisition and transmission capability of TYLCV by B and Q biotypes were compared under the laboratory conditions. Analysis of B. tabaci populations from 55 field sites revealed the existence of 12 B and 43 Q biotypes across 18 provinces in China. The acquisition and transmission experiments showed that both B and Q biotypes can acquire and transmit the virus, however, Q biotype demonstrated superior acquisition and transmission capability than its B counterparts. Specifically, Q biotype acquired significantly more viral DNA than the B biotype, and reached the maximum viral load in a substantially shorter period of time. Although TYLCV was shown to be transmitted horizontally by both biotypes, Q biotype exhibited significantly higher viral transmission frequency than B biotype. Vertical transmission result, on the other hand, indicated that TYLCV DNA can be detected in eggs and nymphs, but not in pupae and adults of the first generation progeny.

Conclusions/Significance

These combined results suggested that the epidemiology of TYLCV was aided differentially by the two invasive whiteflies (B and Q biotypes) through horizontal but not vertical transmission of the virus. This is consistent with the concomitant eruption of TYLCV in tomato fields following the recent rapid invasion of Q biotype whitefly in China.     

Upregulation of temperature susceptibility in Bemisia tabaci upon acquisition of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV)

Acquisition of plant viruses has various effects on physiological mechanisms in vector insects. Bemisia tabaci is the only known vector of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), which is a serious virus affecting tomato cultivars. In this study, the lifespan of Q1 biotype was compared between non-viruliferous (NV) and TYLCV-viruliferous (V) whiteflies. Total lifespan from egg to adult death of NV whiteflies was 62.54days but 10.64days shorter in V whiteflies. We investigated the temperature susceptibility of B. tabaci by comparing mortalities as well as heat shock protein (hsp) mRNA levels between NV and V whiteflies. For this, NV and V whiteflies were exposed for either 1 or 3h at 4, 25, and 35°C. The mortality of V whiteflies was higher than NV ones following exposure at either 4 or 35°C, but there was no significant difference at 25°C. Analysis of the expression level of heat shock protein (hsp) genes using quantitative real-time PCR showed that both cold and heat shock treatments stimulated higher expression of hsps (hsp40, hsp70, and hsp90) at various rates in V whiteflies than NV ones, but there was no difference at 25°C. All together, our results show that TYLCV acquisition accelerated the developmental rate and increased susceptibility to thermal stress in B. tabaci. Therefore, this modification may result in reduced vector longevity due to increased metabolic energy utilization. Our results provide insights into the complex interaction between vector fitness and thermal stress in relation to the acquisition and transmission of plant viruses.     

两个入侵烟粉虱隐种MEAM1与MED对番茄黄曲叶病毒水平传播能力的比较

【目的】烟粉虱 Bemisia tabaci 是番茄黄曲叶病毒（Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, TYLCV）在自然界的唯一传播媒介,除了可以直接取食获取TYLCV,烟粉虱还可以通过交配获取此植物病毒。虽然前人研究证明了烟粉虱Middle East-Asia Minor 1 （MEAM1）和Mediterranean （MED）隐种都可以通过交配在两性个体之间水平传播TYLCV,但有关MEAM1与MED隐种水平传播TYLCV的能力是否存在差异,不同研究的结果却并不一致。另外,目前尚无关于烟粉虱的水平传播行为是否有助于TYLCV在田间扩散的相关研究。【方法】从浙江、广东、云南和河南4个省份的田间采集MEAM1和MED隐种烟粉虱种群,在室内应用分子标记对各种群所属隐种鉴定后分别建立7个供试种群,然后观察每个种群内带毒成虫与不带毒成虫通过交配在不同性别个体之间水平传播TYLCV的能力,并选用采自广东的MEAM1隐种烟粉虱模拟群体交配实验探究通过交配获毒的烟粉虱个体是否具有传播TYLCV致健康番茄植株发病的能力。【结果】4个省内的MEAM1和MED隐种烟粉虱都可通过交配对TYLCV进行水平传播,但传播频率一般在10%以下。不同省份的MEAM1隐种种群之间在水平传播TYLCV的能力上无显著差异,不同省份的MED隐种种群之间也不存在显著差异。另外,同一省份的MEAM1隐种与MED隐种之间在水平传播TYLCV的能力上也不存在显著差异,而且在两个隐种中,带毒雄虫将病毒水平传播给不带毒雌虫与带毒雌虫将病毒水平传播给不带毒雄虫的频率没有显著差异。研究还表明,采自广东的MEAM1隐种烟粉虱个体通过交配水平获毒后不能致健康番茄植株发病。【结论】综合以上结果,我们推测TYLCV在中国境内两个入侵烟粉虱隐种MEAM1和MED各自种群内个体之间的水平传播概率较低,对该病毒在田间的扩散可能没有作用或作用不大。     

Characterization of alfalfa germplasm expressing resistance to silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii

Abstract: Thirty‐eight plants were taken from a University of California alfalfa selection nursery for developing resistance to silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring. Seventeen of the plants had low whitefly infestation and were categorized as ‘potentially resistant’; 21 of the plants had high whitefly infestation and were categorized as ‘presumed susceptible’. Plants were propagated vegetatively so that replicated measurements of whitefly performance could be made on each genotype. Two colonies of silverleaf whiteflies were used: one reared on alfalfa (alfalfa‐experienced whiteflies), and the other on cotton (alfalfa‐naive whiteflies). The effect of variation among alfalfa genotypes on whitefly performance was similar for both whitefly sources, although on all genotypes, the alfalfa‐experienced whiteflies generally performed better than their alfalfa‐naive counterparts. In greenhouse tests, fecundity of newly eclosed adults (over a 5‐day period) on the 17 potentially resistant genotypes was relatively consistent in being lower than fecundity on the presumed susceptible genotypes. However, in nymphal survival tests, the response on the 17 potentially resistant genotypes was not consistent. Nymphal survival (egg to adult) on some of these was very low, as expected, while nymphal survival on others was as high as on the presumed susceptible genotypes. Fecundity and nymphal survival data were not correlated for alfalfa‐naive whiteflies, and were only weakly correlated (r² = 0.13, d.f. = 32, P = 0.04) for alfalfa‐experienced whiteflies. Thirteen genotypes then were examined in the greenhouse in stage‐specific survival tests, where four genotypes demonstrated high resistance (<10% nymphal survival) and three demonstrated moderate resistance (11–34% survival) compared with the three presumed susceptible genotypes that were tested (51–73% survival). Most of the mortality on the resistant genotypes occurred in the first instar, while mortality was more evenly distributed across the life stages on the susceptible genotypes. Interestingly, if nymphs survived to second instar on the resistant genotypes, then their subsequent survival to adult eclosion was similar to survival of second instar to adult on susceptible genotypes. Six of the genotypes used in the greenhouse stage‐specific survival test also were evaluated in the field for nymphal survival, and these results were consistent with the greenhouse tests.     

Truncated Rep gene originated from Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel [Mild] confers strain-specific resistance in transgenic tomato

Transgenic tomato plants carrying a truncated replication associated protein (T‐Rep) gene of the mild strain of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus‐Israel (TYLCV‐Is [Mild]) were prepared. The transgene encoding the first 129 amino acids of Rep conferred resistance only against the virus strain from which it was derived, while these plants were susceptible to the severe strain of TYLCV‐Is. This strain‐specific effect may be the result of high sequence divergence within the N‐terminal domains of the Rep genes of the two virus isolates which share a mere 78% sequence identity at the nucleotide level and 77% at the amino acid level. Although the transgenic tomato plants were totally resistant to whitefly inoculation with the mild strain of TYLCV‐Is, agroinoculation with the same virus strain resulted in variable resistance responses in the tested plants: while 21% of plants were totally immune to the virus, 33% were susceptible and 46% expressed a wide range of intermediate resistance characteristics. The applicability of TYLCV‐Is derived resistance in tomato is discussed.     

烟粉虱传播双生病毒研究进展

综述了烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci对双生病毒的获取、传播及存留等方面的特性。烟粉虱最短的获毒和接种时间为15～30 min;双生病毒在烟粉虱体内可存留1至数周,有的终身存在。烟粉虱对双生病毒的传毒效率除了随其获毒及传毒时间的延长、传毒烟粉虱个体数量的增加以及病毒体浓度的增加而提高外,还与烟粉虱的龄期及性别有关。双生病毒除了在植物与粉虱之间直接传播外,还可通过烟粉虱交配及经卵携带的途径在烟粉虱个体和代别间进行传播。寄主植物、双生病毒的一些特殊蛋白以及烟粉虱内共生菌产生的GroEL蛋白,都可影响烟粉虱携带的双生病毒种类及传毒的可能性。双生病毒可对烟粉虱的发育、存活和生殖产生不利或有利的影响。雌成虫携带番茄黄化曲叶病毒（tomato yellow leaf curl virus, TYLCV）后,存活力和生殖力均下降; 而携带番茄斑驳病毒（tomato mottle virus, ToMoV）后,生殖力提高。此外,植物感染双生病毒后,其对烟粉虱的适合性可能提高。     

Chinese tomato yellow leaf curl virus--a new species of geminivirus

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An anti-TMV factor in the tobacco whitefly after acquisition of tomato yellow leaf curl virus

An anti-viral factor (PARFa), related to the ‘periodic acquisition’ phenomenon of the tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) by the tobacco whitefly, was investigated by ion-exchange chromatography and some of its properties were determined. Separating crude PARFa on a DEAE-cellulose column revealed the presence of two different active fractions. Both fractions were found to occur periodically in the vector's body in concurrence with TYLCV inoculability.PARFa was sensitive to temperatures over 35°C, resistant to pH changes in the range of 2·2 to 9·0 and to RNase, but lost its activity after exposure to pronase.     

Relationship between Tomato yellow leaf curl viruses and the whitefly vector

Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) and Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (ToLCV) are the currently known begomoviruses in Uganda. The relationship with their whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) vector and its management were not known in Uganda. A direct relationship was expected between these begomoviruses and whiteflies at Buwama in Mpigi district of Uganda. Farmer practices were expected to have limited efficacy. To investigate this, a completely randomised block design was used for all trials with six treatments replicated three times. Treatments evaluated were farmer whitefly pest management practices. These included both chemical pesticide and non-pesticide applications. Data on whitefly population and tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease incidence was recorded weekly, and analysed using SAS and SPSS statistical programmes for ANOVA, and correlations. Ranked means, coefficients of variation and standard errors were noted. Virus-vector relationship field studies established that virus occurrence varied in space and time, and with management practices, crop development stage, and weather conditions. A negative relationship (R = -0.14, p 0.04) was established between number of plants infected with TYLCV (sensu lato) and percentage marketable tomato yield. Tomato maturity was inversely propotional to whitefly infestation (R = -0.5, p 0.0001). Uprooting and application of dimethoate was most effective of the six treatments. Tomato leaf curl virus diseases and whitefly management options were established in Uganda.     

A Plant Virus Manipulates the Behavior of Its Whitefly Vector to Enhance Its Transmission Efficiency and Spread

Plant viruses can produce direct and plant-mediated indirect effects on their insect vectors, modifying their life cycle, fitness and behavior. Viruses may benefit from such changes leading to enhanced transmission efficiency and spread. In our study, female adults of Bemisia tabaci were subjected to an acquisition access period of 72 h in Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV)-infected and non-infected tomato plants to obtain viruliferous and non-viruliferous whiteflies, respectively. Insects that were exposed to virus-infected plants were checked by PCR to verify their viruliferous status. Results of the Ethovision video tracking bioassays indicated that TYLCV induced an arrestant behavior of B. tabaci, as viruliferous whitefly adults remained motionless for more time and moved slower than non-viruliferous whiteflies after their first contact with eggplant leaf discs. In fact, Electrical Penetration Graphs showed that TYLCV-viruliferous B. tabaci fed more often from phloem sieve elements and made a larger number of phloem contacts (increased number of E1, E2 and sustained E2 per insect, p<0.05) in eggplants than non-viruliferous whiteflies. Furthermore, the duration of the salivation phase in phloem sieve elements (E1) preceding sustained sap ingestion was longer in viruliferous than in non-viruliferous whiteflies (p<0.05). This particular probing behavior is known to significantly enhance the inoculation efficiency of TYLCV by B. tabaci. Our results show evidence that TYLCV directly manipulates the settling, probing and feeding behavior of its vector B. tabaci in a way that enhances virus transmission efficiency and spread. Furthermore, TYLCV-B. tabaci interactions are mutually beneficial to both the virus and its vector because B. tabaci feeds more efficiently after acquisition of TYLCV. This outcome has clear implications in the epidemiology and management of the TYLCV-B. tabaci complex.     

Expression of stress gene networks in tomato lines susceptible and resistant to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in response to abiotic stresses.

The defense response to several abiotic stresses has been compared in two tomato inbred lines issued from the same breeding program, one susceptible and the other resistant to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) infection. The level of oxidative burst and the amounts of key regulatory stress proteins: pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs), heat shock proteins (HSPs) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were appraised following treatments with NaCl, H(2)O(2), and ethanol. Significant differences in the response of the two tomato genotypes to these stresses have been found for HSPs and MAPKs patterns at the level of down-regulation but not activation. The higher abundance of HSPs and MAPKs in tomatoes resistant to TYLCV could result in enhanced defense capacity against abiotic stresses.