Fulfilling Koch's postulates confirms the monopartite nature of tomato leaf deformation virus, a begomovirus native to the New World

摘要

The monopartite nature of the begomovirus tomato leaf deformation virus (ToLDeV) reported in Peru is demonstrated here. The DNA molecule cloned from an infected plant was shown to be fully infectious in tomatoes inducing leaf curling and stunted growth similar to that observed in field-infected plants. The viral DNA was reisolated from systemically infected tissues of inoculated plants, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. ToLDeV was demonstrated, therefore, as the causal agent of the disease syndrome widespread in tomato crops in Peru. This virus was shown to be present throughout the major tomato-growing regions of this country, both in tomatoes and wild plants. Analyses of the sequences of 51 ToLDeV isolates revealed a significant genetic diversity with three major genetic types co-circulating in the population.