Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) is a plant virus belonging to the family Tombusviridae, genus Tombusvirus. It is a pathogenic agent that primarily affects tomatoes and other members of the Solanaceae family, including peppers, potatoes, and eggplants. TBSV is an RNA virus that has a small, spherical, and encapsulated structure.
This virus causes a range of symptoms in infected plants, including stunting, malformation, and reduced yield. Infected tomato plants display a bushy appearance due to the excessive growth of lateral shoots. The leaves may become small, distorted, and exhibit chlorotic patterns, while the fruit often becomes deformed, undeveloped, and fails to mature properly. TBSV can also cause necrotic lesions on stems and petioles.
The transmission of TBSV primarily occurs via insect vectors, such as thrips, which act as carriers and spread the virus from infected to healthy plants during feeding. Furthermore, the virus can also be mechanically transmitted through contaminated tools or infected plant sap.
Controlling TBSV involves several preventive measures, including the use of disease-free seeds, proper sanitation practices, and the timely removal and destruction of infected plants. Additionally, insect control strategies can be employed to minimize vector populations and limit the spread of the virus. Planting resistant cultivars and implementing crop rotation can further reduce the incidence of TBSV infections.
