Identification of a Natural Weed Host of Tomato Mottle Geminivirus in Florida. R. J. McGOVERN, University of Florida, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee 33934. J. E. POLSTON and G. M. DANYLUK, University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Bradenton 34203; E. H1EBERT and A. M. ABOUZID, Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611; and P. A. STANSLY, University of Florida, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee 33934. Plant Dis. 78:1102-1106. Accepted tor publication 27 July 1994. Copyright 1994 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-78-1102.

Surveys were conducted in southwest and west central Florida to identify naturally occurring weed hosts of the whitefly-transmitted tomato mottle geminivirus (TMoV). More than 780 samples representing 42 species in 14 families were collected from 35 field sites over 3 yr. Detection procedures included nucleic acid spot hybridisation assays with confirmation by polymerase chain reaction amplification. Southern blot analysis, and virus inclusion visualization. Experimental transmission of TMoV was also attempted to more than 340 plants representing 20 species in seven families by using whiteflies (Bemisia argentifolii [B. tabaci biotype B]). One exotic weed from the Solanaceae, tropical soda apple (Solarium viarum), was found to be an experimental host of TMoV and was also found to be naturally infected in the field at a low incidence.

Keyword(s): Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.